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TRANSACTIONS
OP
THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
PLYMOUTH,
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY ROWE,
ARD SOLD BT
BALDWIN AND CRADOCK, LONDON.
1890.
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7G7J 10
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Plymouth JtutUution toot founded in 1812, for the
promotion of Uteraturet Science, and the JPme Art», tn the
town and neighbourhood.
9.
9
Among other means adopted infurtherance of the objects of
the Institutumf it has been deemed exponent in the I9th year
of its existence J to publish a volume of essays^ selected from
the lectures read during the annual sittings of the Society.
But since the publication of their lectures is not obligatory
upon the members^ by the Society* s laws^ the present series con^
sists exclusively of such as have been voluntarily tendered by the
authors ; although it has been found impracticable to include
aU the papers offered for that purpose^ without enlarging the
volume to an undesirable extent.
It has been also the object of the Society to confine the present
volume €u much as possible to those subjects^for the discussion
qfwhichf local facilities or other circumstances^ give to the
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ir. ADVERTISElieifT.
members^ advaniages not witkm the reach of their fellow
labourers tn the field of knowledge. In this point of viewj
at leasts the Society hopes that a volume of Us Transactions
may not be an unacceptable contribution to the general stock of
literary and scienHfic information.
It may be necessary to add, that the Society does not hold
itself amenable for the opinions or statements advanced in the
several essays. That responsibility rests with the respective
authors.
Atheiumm^ Pljfmonth,
Auffurtj 1830.
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CONTENTS.
Page
A DISCOURSE, delivered at the opening of the Pfymouth
Aihemsum, Februan^ ^h^ 1819, by Robert Lampbn,
M. A. Member of the Society. . • • • ......•• 1
I.-— Geolqgfjoo/ Survey of some parts of the comUry near
Pfynumtkf particularly between the Plym and Tamar ; by
John Peidiaux, Member of the Plymouth Institution. 10
ll./'^EjeperimeHiai Inquiries concerning the laws of electrical ft^n-^- J -^ /^ ''
aecumsUatim ! by Mr. W. S. Harris, Member of the . ' u,^ ^\ ,
PlymoQth Institution 45 'T''"
. IIL— Parftctc&ir« ^ ^ conxtruf^km. ^ a cast^^ron bridge
overAe Lory, near Pfymouik; % James M. Rbndbl,
Ciril Engines, Monber of the lUyal Institution of Civil
FngMfirs, and of the Plymouth Institution • . . • 90
IT*— »(^ the rise and decline of particular mortal diseases,
during the last tweMy-Jive years ;^with <m attempt to
aseertain the law qf mortality, m respect of its distribu*
tion on varums ages, and in both sexes; by Edward
Blackmoeb, M. D. Member of the Royal Medioii(
Society of Edinbur^ and of the Plymouth InstitutieiL • • 117
y««- Qa the Characters qf Ahbotia^ a new genus belonging lo
theJbmUy IBsteridee, with descriptims of two species ; by
William Elpord Lbacq^ M. D. F. R, S. &c.
Himorary Member of the Plymouth Institution 155
Descrqition of some new species of the class Myriapoda;
by William Elford Leach, M. D. F. R. S. &c.
Honorary Member of the Plymouth Institution.. 158
\
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CONTENTS,
Paoe
On two new genera of crustaceaus animals^ discovered
by Mr. John Cranch, m the expedition to Congo 109
On Three new genera of the M<daca$traeeoui Crustacea^
belm^ing to thefamly SquiUad^e ; by William Elford
Leach, M. D. F. R. S. &c. Honorary Meinber of the
Plymoiith Instf tution 172
On the gem^ M^clophtheimiu^ a new and very inieresti^
genus, conq>letely proving the theory <if Jules-Cjisar
Satigny, to be correct: by William Elford Leach,
M. D. F. R. S. &c. Honorary Member of the Plymouth
Institution.. • ••• 176
Vh^-Antiquarian investigaiions m the firest qf Dartmoor,
y Devon; by Samuel Rowe, B. A. Member of the
Plymouth Institution • • •' 180
Ylh^^ Persian Poetry ; by Mr. Nathaniel Howard,
Honorary Member of the Plymouth In8tituti<m 213
YIIL — An account qf the collection of drawings of CoL.
y^ Hamilton Smith, F. R. S. F. L. S. &c. &c. kc and
Member of the Pljrmouth Institution, m a letter to the
president • ,. ••••••• 255
IX. — On the Ornithology qfthe SoiUh of Devon ; by Edward
/ 'Moore, M. D. F. L. S. and Member of the Pl3rmouth
Institution, in a letter to the president. ••• • • 289
Appendix.. ••#•••••. 353
^...^^
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ERRATA.
Fige 47,-^Note, 6ih Une from bottom, /or framed plate, read frame and plate.
■ 64,«-line hfor neoessaiy conseqaenee of, read perfectly consistent with.
— ^77,— lliie4frombottom,ybr— ^ rtad -— -
60,— >Exper. 25, line «, — bd. — — b(U
— - 8S,— 4ine 19 from top, — DE. — — De^
— 06,^-for AUraeUvefvree^ read every where AUraeiiveforee qf the fret
aeUom,
805, line 6, for Gen.^EAGLES, inteH Snbg.— Eagles.
994, — 9S, — Sabg.—(BpoonbUl8.)*—-Oen.— SPOONBILLS.
940, —90, — October, 1899, Norember, 1809.
No<«— Mr. Prideanz's paper haying been printed two years, and written
more than three, oontalni many geological terms which have gndnally become
obt<ri6te ; bat as they are still anderstood, it has not been thought na^ssary
to partienlarise them.
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^v
TRANSACTIONS.
A DISCOURSE, DBLITERED AT THE OPENING OF THE
PLYMOUTH ATHENJBUM, FEBRUARY 4th, 1819, BY
ROBERT LAMPEN, M. A. MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY.
Onines Id unlTenmin monitos Tolmnos, at scientle reros flues
cogitent ; neo earn aot ftnimi causa petant, aut ad contenUonem, aut ut alios
despldant, aut ad eotnmodam* aut ad famam, aut ad potenttam, aut bvQUsniodi
loferlora, sed ad merltam et usus Titoe, eamque In Cbarltate perfldant et
regant. bacon.
THE occasioii on which we now meet, is most interesting
to all who have watched the progpress of the Plymouth Insti-
tution with a friendly solicitude. . It is impossible to take
possession of this Athenaeum, the result of your perseverance,
and the public memorial of your zeal, without feeling satisfied,
that the classical elegance of this edifice will not be suffered to
ronain an evidence of hopes, rather than of attainments ; but
diat every exertion will be used to secure all that it seems to
promise. For, without any extravagant estimate of the past,
.you may cherish the remembrance of your efforts hitherto,
however unpretending, as contributions towards the local
-facilities of improv^nent; imd you cannot but look with con«
fidence to the sponger claims to support, which a continuance
of such exertions must enable your Society to prefer. It may
be your praise to have given stability to an Institution uniting
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2 REV. R. LAMPEN ON THE
social with intellectual enjoyment, and affording motives to
exertion, and means of acquiring knowledge, which seldom
stimulate and assist the labours of the solitary student.-—
Neither could I be accused of unjustifiable partiality, if I
were to assert, that local attachment may be allowed to in-
fluence our anticipations. It cannot be unworthy our zeal to
promote the intellectual character of a town, distinguished by
its national importance, and by the residence of men, estimable
in literary accomplishments, and the pursuits of science and
the air^. It is however so easy to transgress the limits which
separate the iceasonable from the visionary, that we cannot be
too cautious in our speculations on the future, if we take care
not to damp the ardour which is essential to the continuance
of energy. Will it be said that I go beyond the bounds of
allowable expectation, when I confess, that surrounded as I
flow am, by many respectable individuals, united by the
coHunon desire of ii^provipg the best possession of their natur^f
I forest much invaluable eiijo3nnent gladdening the privacy
of domestic life; much elevation of character bestowed on
social intercourse ; many innocent resources afforded to diverw
sify the occasional sameness, to relieve the frequent anxieties,
and to ennoble the daily pleasures of existence? Thei^ ase
indeed some, who look with less complacency on the progress
and effects of mental acquirements; but I have now die sfr-
'tisfaction of addressing those who partake in one feeling of
congratulation and encouragement. The very circumstance
of our assembling here, proves that we all calculate on dhe
further progress of those powers wiiich have hitherto been
progressive ; and that we set a proper value on the increase of
our intellectual wealth. Without being mided by a»y visi-
onary hopes, the experienced possibility of improvement must
- always afford delight to the benevolent friends of mankind.^*-
In thus looking forward to the advancement of society in ail
rational habits and happiness, we insensibly make Ae fiituro
.an object of the most liyely interest, for we identify its pro^
mises with the most affectionate wishes of our hearts. In our
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wmm
OPENING OF THE ATHENwSUM. 3
l^resent attempt to cherish and diffuse the love of knowledge
and to iocuicate the inestimable worth of its pleasures, it is
impossible to forget that our children may reap where we hare
town; that what with: us is hope, may with them be reality.
But to secure the benefits that may so reasonably be antici-
pgtedy it is necessary that we should keep steadily in view, the
gjreat end of all knowledge; and endeavour so to employ the
means of its attainment, that we may not deceive ounselves in
the pursuit. There is something so sublime in Mind, that it is
most difficult to lead it, from the contemplation of its own pow-
ers^ to that great end for which those powers were designed^
Its effects, like those of all invisible and mysterious agents,
more frequently excite an indolent feeling of admiration, than
encourage profitable inquiry into their moral results. How
surpassingly wonderful indeed is that Bacred gift of heaven;-^
that inborn excellence of our nature ; — continually active
in-explorii^ new regions of diought ; — dilating as it were
tbe^iimited period of human life, by ever presenting to us the
visions of the past or the future ; the inexhaustible treasures
of recollectioui or of hope. The indications of Mind survive
o:|ur accidental possessions, and perpetuate the wisdom of ages»
They breathe from the ruins of Thebes and Palmyra ; and after .
the desert has for centuries resumed its silence and its solitude,
we can still discover that it was once enlivened by the dcmii-
nion of intellect. The lapse of time indeed only augments the
sQurces of mental enjoyment, while it shows ns how fragile
ai^ all our other possessions. Man is not allowed to involve
in the discomfiture of his expectations, that high privilege and
Principle of his nature, which like the sun, shines above the
reach of storms, and though often partially obscured, is always
thft source of light and life. What is it that attaches us to the
reoordaof history, but the evidences of Mind^ which they -
perpetuate f We look back to the people of ancient fame, and
admire the greatness of their actions^ because those "actiona
were^Tid^ftt symbols of superior intellects It is what theyr
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4 REV. R. LAMPEN ON THB
thought, that gave life and interest to what they did. In the
highest career of their glory, it is not their power or their success
which fixes our attention, but that which made Aeir power
awful, and their success the result of wisdom, and not of
accident. It is the energy of Mind to which we thus pay in-
voluntary homage ; — and our admiration of Athens and of
Rome, is only the expression of that general sentiment of
exultation — ^the instinctive confessicm ^that lofty powers lie
treasured up in Man."
But these sublime indications of Mind, may from their very
grandeur excite an unprofitable veneration. As those, who
al« not initiated in the secrets of nature, behold the mighty
powers of the material world when loosened from their usual
restraints ; — astonished at their effects, and yet unconsciouis,
that the very air they breathe, is supported by their unseen
agency ; so intellectual power may be regarded, as if it were
solely the property of superior beings, and without the present
conviction that it is the pervading ei^rgy of social life. That
conviction is however essentially necessary to secure the useftil
cultivation of our faculties; and I know not that I could choose
a more useful subject for the occasion of opening our Athen.
ceum, than that which is thus suggested to our meditation : —
We are now under the most auspicious circumstances, renewing
our endeavours to extend the love, and facilitate the acquisition
of knowledge. We hope to see those endeavours productive
of beneficial effects on individual character, and on the inter-
course of life. It must therefore be most interesting at the
present moment to enquire, how the pursuits of Literature,
Science, and the Arts, may be connected with moral improve*
ment ; and what means are within our reach to secure a more
extensive co-operation of the Intellect and the Will. It is
their probable influence on the conduct that can alone enable -
us to estimate the real value of our endeavours. It is by se- .
curing their beneficial influence, that we can alone recommend
tbem to the Author of our being, who gave us reason, not for
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OPENING OF THB ATHENJBUM. 6
idl6 Speculation or personal distinction, but for the completion
of a more glorious destiny, as the enlightened adorers of his
gfreatness, and the humble imitators of his moral perfections.
There is nothing that more effectually secures the proper
direction of our faculties, than a careful consideration of their
mutual dependance. Man is endowed with contemplative and
active powers, and they must administer to each other, or the
harmony of nature is impaired. The energies of the mind
must be defined and directed by the scene which calk them
forth. Unless speculation and practice are connected as cause
and effect, speculation must lose its worth, and practice its
possibilities of improvement. The great object of a well regu-
lated education is, at once, to develope these powers and to
preserve their natural association. But few indeed are so ad-
mirably disciplined, as to escape, altogether, the tyranny of
some disproportionate bias. — Either an undue preference for
abstruse researches or ideal enjoyments, gives a distaste for the
humbler but essential duties of life; or an exclusive zeal to
answer the demands of our social existence, fosters a suspicion
that theoretical pursuits are deficient in utility. The few, who
cultivate their contemplative faculties, too often become unable
to bring them sufficiently within the sphere of social obliga-
tions; and the many, who are necessarily led to the details of
active life, not unfrequently regard employments of an ab-
stracted character, as something foreign to the real advantage
of mankind. Even if the judgment be not perverted entirely
by these hasty decisions of habit or inclination, it is too fre-
quently so far influenced, as to check the fearless cultivation
of every part of our intelligent nature, and to induce us to
impose the shackles of our prejudices on those minds that are
entrusted to our direction. Nor can iV be at all matter of
surprise that the importance of intellectual pursuits should be
under-rated, when it is decided by the fellacious test of com-
parative utility. For the speculative labours of the student
do not so challenge observation, as to permit their being fiurly '
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" u^^^mmmmmmmmmmmam^tmmm
6r REV. R. UIMPJE^ ON THE
e^tiniialed; while pFactical exertions come so home to every
ngvui's business and bosom, that they may seem, to superficial ^
notice, to be the only dnties of life. The results of scientific:.,
experiment or calculation, which facilitate the ordinary busi-
ness of mankind^ bring indeed theory and practice so closely
together, .that the advantage of speculation, is in, these in*
stances unequivocally acknowledged : but even then it is
allowed,, only, when made evident by such profitable results* ■
T|ie philosopjier in his laboratory, and the mathematician in •
his study are not known as the friepds of society^ until society
has felt their value by some new addition to the sources of
wealth or comfort* Thus the advantages of speculation are
only confessed on a retrospect, when its manifest effects have .
placed it in too strong a light to allow the possibility of neglect*
The student is alone encouraged by his solitary anticipa»
tions; — ^he must long be considered by many, as among^ the
doubtful benefactors of mankind.
The conduct of those who attach themselves exclusively .
to what are called the Useful Arts, frequently gives an indirect
sanction to this depreciation of studious habits. Those who
confine themselves to demonstrative or experimental science^
are too apt to undervalue whatever cannot be submitted to the
rigid test of actual examination, and to discredit the share
which the imaginative and moral faculties have in influencing,
the welfiure of the world. The Poet, the Artist, and the lover
of elegant Literature, are sometimes found equally forgetful of .
the obligations they owe to Science. The unthinking are always
r^y to adopt these prepossessions of superior minds ; but
th^ zeal of party soon subsides with them into a kind of gen«^
eral scepticism, and their want of knowled^ conspires with.,
tb^ir indifference, to persuade tbem th^t they have but littlav
interest in these contentions of opinion* Thus, the <cukivatioi| .
of )the.mj|id» beyond what is aotually requured for the ordinary /
oc^ufii^onsiof life, isconsidwed freqiiantly as distnu^tii^. td^-
temtioDs. and'repairing the mischirf with but>si«BUQretiiaiiirof >
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OPENING OF THE A-THEN^EUM. ^
practical utility. From these contracted views, the seeds of
^wisdoiny that might moHt advantageoufily have been developed,
ttre often carried by their unconscious possessors to the grave;
and the entrusted talent is returned unimproved. By Ae
ftechnical mode of education, which such notions reconunend,
-mankind are, as it were, divided into castes, and those preju-
dices and peculiarities are perpetuated, which are not essen-
**t]al to practical skill, and cannot fail to become obstacles to
the free use of the understanding. On the other hand, the
abstraction from the business of life, and devotion to theoretical
reasoning, which so often characterise the student, and the
•exclusive admiration, which not unfrequently is confined to
\his favourite pursuit, lessens the certainty of his knowledge
by contracting that field of observation, from which all his
conclusions must be derived. Thus either by distrust or by
mn illiberal partiality, the education which nature suggests
and commences in us, is frequently over-ruled, and the facuU
iies are submitted to the restraint of unwise prejudice.
The great restorer of rational philosophy, bas taught us,
that if we would approach perfection, we must in the devlope-
ment of the moral character, imitate nature, who in her pro-
ductions throws out^ at once, the rudiments of all the parts;
and 4oes net, like the Statuary, while finishing the features
leave Ae rest of the marble a shapeless mass.* This precept
applies to the method in which the mind should be cultivated,
to produce its proper eflR^t on the happiness and conduct of
Bttuikind. To suppose that all would thus be brought to an
intellectual equality, would be to attribute too much to human
^ontroul. The great lines ofdistinction are marked by nature;
ttid we may surely, without any fear of disturbing the harmotq^
'whidi Supreme Wisdom has established, venture to do all fbr
0ur endowments that we are enabled to do. We are not called
on to liMTget that division of duties, which social necessitito
i us. We are only thus taught to bring to our speciBc
* De Aogmeiitls Sdentianun. lib. 7. Cap 8.
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8 REV. R. LAMPEN ON THE
employmetitsy the intelligence of an enlightened and liberal
mind* To throw on the distinct object of our pursuit^ not a
few selected rays, but all those blended streams of light, whidb
we are enabled there to concentrate ; that we may learn its
various relations, and not set on it such an exaggerated valae,
. as would withdraw us entirely from objects of still higher in-
. terest ; or induce us to look down on the other engagements
of mankind, without bestowing our sympathy and encourage-
ment. — It is only under such circumstances, that the beneficial
results of cultivating the mind can be fully experienced. We
might as justly hope to learn completely, the effects of the
. senses from one who is blind or deaf, as to see all the nwral ad-
vantages of a cultivated mind, exemplified under the tyramqr
of a partial and prejudiced education.
A mind exactly disciplined accordmg to the suggestions
. of nature, and not cramped in the developement of its powers,
would be in little danger of mistaking their importance or
their object. The higher principles of conduct would not be
undervalued, by faculties so wisely acyusted; and whatever
may be the moral influence of intellectual pursuits, it would
operate without any obstruction from a jealous rivalry or an
. illiberal neglect. The contemplation of this perfect harmony
of mind, and of its happy consequences on society, has led some
theoretical reasoners to imagine extraordinary results from the
dissemination of knowledge ; and to regard the prog^ress of
Science, and Arts, and Letters, as the visible gradation by
which we are advancing towards a moral perfection. Such
views are certainly attractive from the aspect iu which they
. seem to place mankind, and the poetry which they throw a-
round our present existence ; but it must also be confesssed,
that they have too little foundation to satisfy any one, who has
been accustomed to consider the strength and the weakness
of his nature. How shall we forget the lessons of agesf How
can we reconcile to such a theory the lamentable inconsist-
enciea which the history of man preaentsf Alas! Sconce
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onENme of thb AmmnxaM. g
vad Art have left mighty records of their past greatneas* The
triimiphs of ancknt Genius still survive in the temple and the
8tatiie» and the distance of centuries, and the ravages of time,
have only served to. consecrate them to the veneration of
remote posterity. But where are die evidences of moral
greatness which we may trace to the influence of this inteU
lectual supremacy f Can, we venture to assert, that he who
raised the Obelisk and the Pyramid, could claim equal
superiority in moral greatness, over the unlettered Arab,««-
the dull inheritor of the desert f The rites of Isis and Osiris,
were long r^arded even at Rome with abhorrence ; and the
dty which willingly received the shrines of idolatry from all
parts of the vanquished world, refused to admit within its
walls the impurities of Egfypt, until Rome also flourished in
arts, and became feeble in morals. The vestiges of Grecian
magnificence afford, now, only a melancholy contrast to the
political and mental degradation of the country of Pericles
and of Plato. The perpetual freshness of the Literature of
Greece; — the appeals that her Poetry and Eloquence, and
Philosophy still make, after a lapse of two thousand years,
to the feeling and reason of mankind, only confirm the belief
diat the Intellect and the Will have no necessanf sympaliiy ;
but that the one may put forth its suUimest energies, while
the other is the slave of depraved habits. For however grei^y
we may admire tlutt intensity of character which distinguidied
the heroes of Greece, and which secured fiir her littie states a
most in^iortant political existaice ; we shall look in vain for
thepred<Hninance of those virtues which constitute the niorality
of the soul. The love of popular distinction was with them
the diief basis of M that was g^reat and admirable in public
conduct : but the unpretending sublimity of goodness ; the
graces which silently bless mankind, and look to conscience
for their applause; these were, indeed, taught in the Acad^ny
and the Lyceum, but unnoticed in the general practice of the
people. The sacred writmgs afford us tiie highest evidence
of the degraded mcnrak of Egypt and Greece* But even with
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10 MBV. R. LAMFBN ON THB
no reveraitial bias oa tbe judgment, no sacred oh§eci ki
ttiforcing purity of manners, we find a heathen, in a most
dissolute period of society, holding up these celebrated people
to the moral detestation of his countrymen* If Gtei^us was
always accompanied with an eleyation of character, the glo*
rious recoUectioiis of Egypt and Greece would have rescued
them from such cenrare in the days of Juvenal. What then
it may be asked, is the boast (^ civilization t On what ground
cm we chim exen^ticm from the defects of those, who were
eminent in Arts and Letters, Have we any cause for suppose
ing that the intellect and the will are indissolubly connected
Imd that improvement in morals must inevitably accompany
our further advances in wisdom? Or, do we acknowledge
that we are partakers of the same common nature ;--and that
the higher privileges, imder which we now live, throw too
frequently, the light of a more painful conviction on the want
of a steady co-operation between the heart and the under*
standing f It would be diflScult to deny the conclusion to
which we are led by the experience of life, in answer to these
enquiries.
But if we must not expect that the improv^nent of society
in its mort vital ii^erests, will necessaribf keep pace with.tlte
advancement of its knowledge and intelligence; we must not
discourage exertion. If it be presumption to attribute too
mudi to man, it is ingratitude to attribute too little >— it is
ingratitude to the Giver of our opacities; and would tend
to call in question the wisdom of his disfiensations. While
our experience, as well as the evidence of history, aasures us
Aat tbe mind may put forth its poweis, without purifying the
motives to conduct, we have no authority for concluding that
moral degradation must result from the cultivation of our
Acuities. On the contrary, is not their existence a proof that
they were intended for some g^reat end; and can there be nm
end more consistent with all the suggestions of conscience
and the wants of society, than the proper r^ulation of the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OPSN1II0 or THE ATBERJBXm. H
uShtthm and the willf If Aen, tkey Ml of prodoemg ikh
effect, we may diarge the failure to our own tnisapplica*
tkm of those means of snbstantial improvement; and dot
snqpect the highest of our earthi j privileges to be the canse
(^ all the «Iisorder that disturbs the harmony of mankind. Does
net the oontenplation of die hnman mmd, and die scene em
wiuch its energies are to be developed, impress as with that
view of our destiny, by which Longitfus has apologised for
the bold negligendes of genius. And are we not ready to
acknowledge that we are uidiered into diie magfiiifieent world*
as bef<Nre a multitude of spectators, that we might admire its
beauty and oontted for ffrofitable distinotioil in ttw.g^Mral
systeHL Tlmt we therefore peases^a love of #hat is exceHent^-^.
we long for someAing, even befond o«# possible attaimneats.*
Shall we ventnre todeny thai snch ah intelleel ndgfat be made
most beneficial m its effects on nieraliiy, by a wi«e ^fe-e^tion
of its powers!
. WiAont supposing the* Oat moral pcdbotion will be Ae
ce^ain result of cultivating the mind, the natnral tendeu^ of
thesci endowments of intellect, points out to us, 1^ we Imve
to run a ooreer of inq^rovement; and dtttt mnch nnatlained
excellence is still the lawful object of oar fiestre^ ancf emula*-
tien. We may and ought to look with rejoicing at every effirat
which is used m obedience to dns suggestion of our nature.—
Every advance that man makes, in the esteem of the* wise
and virtuous, is an encouraging testimony that he is fulfilling
his allotted task. Although his progress will be stopped at
an immense distance from diat point of perfection, whidk
theoretical philosophy has supposed attainable, and he must
• *H i^vaic ov rdmiybv ^/jloq (dfoy^ di/5* ayivyig txpive rov
avd/H^irov, aXX* «c «^C fiiyakriv nva trariiyvpiy dg rbv fiioy xai ds
rov irOfAirayra icSafiov lirdyovaa^ ^eardg riyas rdiy oXvv avrijc eaofxi^
vdvCf Kal ^iXori/JMrdrovc ayiityi^a^ evBvg dfuv^^oy tptara kvi^vtrsv
njimt rote ^pvxdc iravrdc dh tov fj^eydXovj Koi tig vpog fifiagf
ioifAoytwipov. n«/>f •Yi/^oi/c, Cap. 35.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
12 BEV. R. LAMPBN ON THB
e^periebce many impedimetitfl which are overlooked in y|gion»
ary speculations; yet he will have the satis&ction of knowing
that be does his endeavours to keep ioaankind from d^fenerating,
and that, in his little sphere, he is the promoter of individual
and social welfare. Although he feels assured, by oonsci^ice
and experience, thot some diangenot within human controul,
is reqiured, to effect a complete i*eformation of the world ; yet
it is not for him to fix the precise limits of possible improve-
ment — ^it is not for him to arrest the prog^ress of society, evett
by his humility, or by his fears.
And yet such attempts have been made by the lovers of
paradox, and the state of uncultivated nature, has been asserted
to be more favourable to virtue and happiniess, than that' of
an eidightened people. But such notions can have but 'few
sincere disciples ; for to exalt the savage above the civilized,
is obviously to go back in the scale of being, and to convert
the many causes for thankfulness, which spring from the daily
blessings of life, into sources of distrust and appreh^ion.
It is to destroy energy, and to foster a gloomy and uncharitable •
temper — to insulate man, in .the midst of mankind; and to
accumulate on him the Jtniseries of an alien, i*i the very home,
and amidst the very hearts, with whom God has linked his
destiny. For the practical illustration of such a theory, we
need only look to Rousseau himself— -at cmce die Martyr and
• Ae Apostate — tinging with this dark notion the whole of his
8elf-4igoliiBed existence, and yet often flying from it to court
celebrity amidst the very world, whose institutions he pre-
toided to despise. So inconsistent must the conduct always
be, when the reason adopts notions so fiuiciful and extravagant.
The imperious necessities of life will not suffer our actions to
keep pace with all these eccentricities of theory. Incoherence
will frequently betray the unsoundness of such reasoning. If
it were not indeed for these obvious demonstrations of weak«
ness, what mischief might not a commanding genius produce
on the harmony of the social system.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OPBNIKO OF THE ATHENJEUM. 18
. The temperate view of our faculties, and of the advantages
p esu lth ig from their improvement, offers ns a prospect- of
blended light and shade ; calling forth at once the virtues of
hope and diffidence, which too seldom adorn the same intellect.
To suppose that the mind must powerfully influence the con-
duct, is only to assign it the natural pre-eminence, by which
il was made the delegated ruler of this lower creation. The
wise, regulation and culture of die mind must therefore be
h^ly beneficial, and we may expect from it the happiest
fruits. But man is not a being of pure intellect — ^he is made
up also of appetites and passions which are often most power-
ful in p^MuasioB, when the mind is weak in restraint. To im-
pose upon these reluctant energies an authority
Qui foedere certo
Et premere, et Uxas idret dare jossus babenas
is the great office of intellect ; and unless it be so employed,
its powers are, to individual welfare, worse than useless :-*
for it becomes treacherous to its important charge, and only
increases the impetuosity, or allurements of those willing
principles of evil, which are always sufficiently violent, and
sufficiently seductive. The improvement of knowledge and
taste undoubtedly affords the means of ennobling the moral
character. But it would betray much ignorance of the actual
state of human nature, to rely solely, on acquisitions, which
may be worse than superficial. It is not an acquaintance with
the particulars of a science or an art — it is not Poetry, nor
Eloquence, nor History, which can be made to bear often on
the daily exigencies of life, so as to enlighten and determine
the conduct. Neither is any general notion of right and wrong
which we may derive from philosophical studies, more effec-
tual, when real wants and inclinations influence the will.
How weak an instrument then must the mere diffusion of
letters, of science, or of taste, prove, in bring^ing about that
great moral reformatioi) which benevol^ice would r^oice to
anticipate. And yet how effectual in its tendency, toward
Digitized by VjOOQIC
14 BEV. B. LAMPEN ON THB
some amelioration in the character and happinem of mankind,
if ^ith the extension of the means of acquirii^ knowledg«».
and intellectual enjoyments, the habits are also difiseminated,
which make knowledgfe and taste, as it were, essential parte
of ourselves. Not those habits of exclusive and pedantic
affectation, which serve only to pamper a momentary vanity,
but those serious dispositions of mind and heart, which induce
us to search diligently and modestly after Truth; and that,
from a steady regard to the proper end of eack pursuits-^
moral excellence.
In most discussions on this subject, the powarftil effiecte
resulting from the prevalence of mental acquirements, appear
to be too readily assumed. We hear them spoken of as if they
were the sole causes of the greatness or decline of nations—
but surely it argues some forgetfulness of the history and
constitution of man, to rank them so highly as the arbiters of
human destiny. A little attention to the progress of our
faculties, must convince us that many principles of conduct
exist before the intellect is developed. The wants and instincte
even of our infancy, and the impressions which may uncon^
sciously be made by the conduct of those who watch over our
helplessness, are perhaps enough to determine the complexi<m
of the future character. For when the mind begins to expand
it is too feeble, in its first efforts, to obtain frequent controul
oyer the will ; and in afiier life, it seldom entirely shakes off
the restraints imposed by its early weakness. The mental
character is therefore, originally, rather an effect than a cause ;
and when it operates upon the regulation of moral conduct^
it only repays with interest what it had derived firom the
parent source.
If we look to the productions which have obtained the
admiration of the dvilized world, how decidedly may we
trace diis strength of moral preposseBsions. The unusual
vigour of intellect seems only to have afforded the means of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OPENINO OF THE ATHBN^UM. 15
giTUig an extraordinary Ulustration to the peculiar markings
of character. The mind, unconscious of its dependence is
obedient to those habits, which hare serred to give a bias to
the affections; and we may oft^i lament the unhappy celebrity
which has thrown a veil of beauty over deformity, and bestowed
eleiration and dignity on those excesses which serve to degrade
our nature. Nor can we complain that what is truly amiable
and excellent, has been deprived of similar advantages from
the triumphant efforts of Literature and the Arts. An in^
mortality has been also given to some of the best and purest
sentiments; — they have been brought before us, as if they
were c<^ied from beings, more secured from error, and more
perfect in goodness than those whom we usually meet with in
the ordinary intercourse o( life : and they were indeed copied
from minds influenced by a purer moral taste. In these in^
stances, abo, the heart has inspired the Grenius,
But we need not look so high for proofs, that the acquired
principles of morality most frequently give the leading dii^-
reaction to the suggfestions of the intellect. The conunon
experience of life must cmivince us, that what we often think
a peculiar talent for any pursuit, is only the choice which the
will prescribes to the judgment. And indeed how can it well
be otherwise, when we consider the extreme difficulty of
i ff^yiffig retired pursuits predominate over the daily and hourly
jrealities, which find so easy an access to the springs of con-
duct. Th^e are but few who have any correct notion of
mental labour. To abstract the tbou^ts from objects, which
are every moment importunate in their solicitations, and to
fix the mind's eye deliberately and attentively on its own
conceptioBs:—4o estimate them in all their relations and eoft-
sequences; and then so to impress on us the result, as to make
it become a part of our moral nature; — a prmciple of future
conduct; clashing perhaps with many received and cherished
habits: — this effort must be allowed to be extremely diftcult;
and yet, without this, we cannot suppose that the mind can
effectually correct the perverseness of disposition.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
16 REV. R. LAMPEN ON THE
By the manner in which information is most generally
received into the mind, it is rather acknowledged as an access
sary than as a principle. If our attention be directed to
Literature, it is chiefly that we may acquire those graces of
conversation and intelligence, which may make us acceptable
in well-informed society, or qualify us for some specific
employment. If we are engaged in scientific pursuits, they
are usually reg^arded as satisfying natural curiosity; or as
merely subservient to the wants of life ; or as the means of
individual distinction : — ^and the great lessons which they are
so sublimely capable of teaching, are only incidentally incul-
cated. The Fine Arts, also, are too seldom considered ks the
means of improving our conceptions of ideal excellence, and
bestowing a more exalted character on the moral taste. And
thus, we are apt to foi^et that our own best interests, together
with the general welfare and happiness, might possibly be
promoted by a judicious application of our powers. The
desultory habits which are encouraged by the wide difiusion
of the means and fiicilities of improvement, are also calculated
to weaken, and without much care, ultimately to destroy,
the beneficial influence of knowledge. A careless perusal of
opinions can have only a vague and indecisive effect on the
character. Nothing indeed can be more idle than ordinary
reading. The eye ranges over the page, without awakening
the powers of comparison and judgment ; and if the sense be
tolerably understood, it is all that seems essential. Hie inter-
pretation of the author's meanrag is too often mistaken for
the assent of the reader's mind ; and thus every opinion seems
to have equal weight, but, perhaps, not one leaves a decided
and useful impression. Hie objects also which the professed
lovers of intellectual pursuits most frequently propose to
themselves, are calculated to withdraw the attention from that
point which should be reg^acded, however distant, as the focus
of human attainments. — ^Lord Bacon calls this ^mistakii^, or
misplacing the last and fieurthest end of knowledge," the
greatest of all the errors which impede its advancement; and
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OPENDM OV VBM AtVffiKJfcUM. It
lie emmienitis tamus prepMBettioiii» Aot eften Hrett nk
horn m jiniAtable use of o«ir feeulties; and ki all of w%idi we
nay find exeatplifted, the mastery dMA eapriciooa dx^ioeitioft
loo readily obtons over the miftd. ** M^/' says be, *^ hart
^ entered into a deeire of knowledge, sometimes upon a naturd
^ cvrtosity and mquisitive appetite ; sometimes lo entertain
** dieir minds with variety and deliglit ; sometimes fer or^
^^ nament and reputation; wad sometimes to enable them to
„ rictory of wit and oontredietion; and most times for lucre
^ and profession ; and seldom mneerely to gpive a ttne aceount
^of their gift of reason, to tfie benefit and use of men
^ . « * But this is that whieh will indeed dignify and exalt
** knowledge, if eontemplation Mid action may be more nearly
** and straitly conjoined and umted together, than they hav«
*^ been.^ •
To secure this happy coidbination, it is most essential thai
we should above all, cultivate tbe great principles of moral
improv^nent :— that we should bring to our pursuits, not a
mind freed from all prepossessions, hat a mind subject to that
best of influenees, which will secure at least an honest appli*
cation of its powers. If we expect such a disposition to grow
naturally out of our pursuits, we shall certainly deceive our^^
selves. The goodness of Providence has placed at our disposal,
agreatsaeans of advancing our usefulness and our happiness;
and if we take care to cidtivate that acute sense of what is
eKoellent, whidi is die best protection of a vulnerable reason^
and the sufest guide of an erring judgment, we may look
abroad through nature with the confidence that befits a man*
ful exercise of our entrusted powers. We may explore the
n^psteries of science; we may range over the treasures <^
learning; we may indulge in the del^hts of imagination;---*
the moral sense will accompany our thoughts in all these ^c*
cursions; and while it purifies the sources of enjoyment, it
;|^ On the Advanoement of Learning* Bock h
C
Digitized by VjOOQIC
18 RI!V. R. LAMPSN ise.
will direct the attention to what should be the leading object
of our pursuits — the relation of the affections and the wilL
Although the experience of the world does not encourage
us to hope^that we shsdl completely attain this desirable har-
mony of all our faculties; yet, let it be remembered, that we
now live under peculiar advantages. While the means of
knowledge are inore generally diffused than at any former
period, the private character is more an object of attention.
Instead of aiming at an undefined and poetical idea of ex-
cellence, which has no relation to our present state, we are
taught by Christianity to regard the realities of life, and
the minute details of conduct; and such appeals are made,
to the heart and conscience of each individual, that if he.be
not insensible, he must feel his personal interest in the general
morality. But all these great assistances call on us for more
than ordinary caution, lest we lose the good they offer. Let
us studiously begin with the r^^lation of the heart; let it
be our first and supreme care to bring it under the discipline
of religion ; let our diligence be worthy that sacred object of
our ambition ; and every accession of knowledge, will then
be an accession of happines&--an accession of favour, in the
sight of that Being, who can alone sanctify and render accept*
able our defective services.
In offering these observations, I believe I have only given
language to the sentiments of this Institution. It is not to
obtain the unprofitable reputation of advancing novelties, that
I have felt myself called on now to address you ; but it has
been my humble endeavour that the first discourse, delivered
in this Athenseum, should declare the essential principles on
which our Society is established — ^those principles, which are
the surest bond of permanent union, and which can alone
entitle our efforts to any attention and respect.
Digitized by VjOOQiC
1. — OEOLOOICAL SURVEY OP SOME PARTS OrTHff
COUNTRY NEAR PLYMOUTH, PARTICULARLY BET?FEEN THE
PLYM AND TAMAR; BY JOHN PRU)£AUX, MEMBER OF THE
PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
This lisatedy and posribly inacciirate, geological dietehof
our neighboiirhood, willy I hope, be acceptable to the society,
both because the variety of. rooks in so small a space, the
diversity of their position, and their extraordinary exposure
and accessibflity, are of sufficient interest to deswve bemg
known; and that it is well for institutions like ours, to be
acquainted with the detafls (tf whatever concerns science in our ^
own precincts, to lighten the labours of those who investigate
on a broader scale*
The granite of Dartmoor, from Mist-tor to Hey-tor,
and south of that line, has the following characters; which
probably belong to the whole.
It is entirely mountainous, the highest hills being on the
borders; where some of them attain an elevation of nearly
2000 feet. The valleys run in various directions ; but have a
Digitized by VjOOQIC
20 PRIDEAUX— GEOLOGY O^ THE
tendency upon the whole, to the north and south line. The
hills rise often steep, sometimes precipitous; their sides
scantily clothed with long g^raas, except where rushes or moss
indicate siibjacent bog : and often strewed with loose blocks
of granite, from 60 or more tons down to the size of a flag-
stone. A crag, called the tor, usually projects at the summit
of the hill, having a very striking appearance of stratification ;
the fissures being sometimes horizontal, more commonly a
little inclined. This stratified character is not less general in
the quarries; where, although there are none of those marked
divisions, indicative of intermissions in the original deposition
of the rock, the stone always comes out in beds. Ihe dip is
different in different hills, but seems to have a prevailing
tendency toward east and south.
Not only the hills are higher on the borders, but in many
places the granite seems harder there, and of closer texture*
Hey-tor, Sheeps-tor, CoUard-tor and Pen-beacon will illus-
trate this; as well as Calstock, the granite of which belongs t^
a more westerly pfKgeetkm« We must except, howevery as will
pt^sendy appeaor, U» hill siiles in innediate contftot Willi
certa«i rodu adjjoini^ tfte ]
The hndBesB varies, from sach as abnst to defy iHm iaoik
to Ihait whaeh lalls to pieces by the blow of a Wimer, or
may even be cat Jknm wiAi a spadfe, like graird.
The colour is not much more uniform, being generi^ly
pale grey or whitish in the mass, with a shade of red or
yellow; but it is fbund, frem afanost black wiA schorl, to
ptire shining white: and some occurs ef a rich red, superior
in beauty to any Egyptian granite I hare seen; partieulariy
where it contains tourmaline.
Tbttt it is metalliferous every body knows : tin being Ae
moat CCfftmoD product* Copper sumctiuieaoccurs, and in a fcw
Digitized by VjOOQiC
9m
CX>UNTRT NfiAR PLYMOUTH. 31
ittitftiirtw, numganeie has been nM&tiuned ; of which« as the
mMcrn hare reasons for ooBcealii^ it, I do not know the
geological relation to the rock-^whether it lies on the surface^
or penetrates it in reins. Lead I hare not heariik of in thk
fonnation.
This granite is rich in schorl and poor in mica, consequently
less impregni^ed with magnesia, and perhaps more subject to
Ae opergtion of the weather than is common to that rock-^
€ire«Hiatances which may help to explain its comparatire
^srlility in grass. In sittnmer it feeds great numbers of cattle;
mA m extremely hot and dry weather, when the herbage
lAiewlMire is burnt up, assumes the appearance of great
ver^kire; its humid soil and oold atmosphere, which at other
times gire it apale and hungry aq^^ct, contributiBg then to
its fertility.
Th» dose crystattine texture of the rock, obliging the
0oadttttBed fegs and ram to run orer its surftce, wprobably the
lOiisn, that the valleys are boggy; extending in numerous
caasiw ^ Ae Ul sides and across the summit. These bog%
dangerous to cattle, are not without their value ; being the
gronfc depositories of ftiel ; an tanportant article in those bleak
VSgioaWf wh^re a firoi^dde is often i^p^eeable in an evenii^ ^
h\y. The peat gradually aocmuttlated there, has attained
a depdi in mcmy places^ exceeding 20 feet.r The deeper, the
more it isprizedt the lawer portions, condensed by the super*
Jnimmfcent we^^ beeoning a much m(»« efiecliTe fuel*
Stprii^ comiQjOiily br^k out from these bogs, as though
Snperftcial to the stone; but there are intanoes ^ a difierent
lliid^'Hii the eastern foot of Ugborough-beacon, is a fine
spling, powtng out of the roek, probably two hogsheads n
minute. Such as these may perhaps <rwe their ongiu to
sMlhGr condition of the gnmite, where the crystab of quarts
aai Mqpar ire ine^MBent, awl the ackori hat Tcry mmck
Digitized by VjOOQIC
82 PRlrtEAUX-^GEOLOGY OP THE
disappeared, forming a sort of g^rel many yards in deptb«
Such a bed of great extent, lies on one side of Hessary-tor,
near the prison.
In wood, this rock appears to be unproductive. A few
young plantations of fir do not yet appear to suffer more than
might be expected from the climate ; some fine trees are found
about the borders of the streams; and trunks of considerable
dimensions, have been dug up from the bogs: but it is said
by gentlemen possessing estates on the granite, and my obser*
vation agrees with it, that trees, after reaching a certain
height, rise no farther ; spreading and twisting their branches,
without proportionate increase of trunk. Wistman^s-wood,
a plot of oaks, supposed to be of a thousand years standing;
the largest less than a man's waist, and within twenty feet
high, is air extreme instance. .
The outline of the granite, from Tavistock to Hey-tor,
southward, may indeed be almost traced by the coppice
which clothing the declivities of the slates and other rocks
that abut against it, disappears suddenly on its gritty soil.
Entering the moor from Tavistock, Cocks-tor, a trapp
loountain must be passed, before we reach the granite at
Staple-tor. Thence it runs a little westward of south to
Pu*tor, two miles; to Crip^^or, east one mile; to Sheeps-tor,
south five miles; whence it leaves a deep curve, occupied by
a hill of schorl rock, with some slates, (Ringmoor-down,)
and comes out west again at Wigford-down. At Dewerstone,
the southern angle of this down, cmd 8. W. point of the
Dartmoor granite, it is finely exhibited in a vertical cliff pf
probably one hundred and fifty feet, down to the bed of the
river. Hence E. S. E. about two miles to Collard-tor ; N. by
E. thriee miles to Pen Beaccm ; E. one and half mile, and at
much S. to Blatchf<Hd-hUI; and about S. E. by S« to die
Weslem4>6acoD, fall four miles. Thiff ii the aoathenmioit
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OOianrRT NEAR PLYMOUTH. 23
point; thence about two miles N. E. by N. to Ugborough
beacon; about four miles in a concave line N. by E. to
Shipley-tor; thence a little westward of north, about seren
miles to the Dart. From Sharp-tor, on the north bank of the
Dart ; N. £• by N. about four miles to Widec(»nbe ; S. by E.
about the same distance to Bippon«tor; and doubling back
Ji. £• by N. three miles to Hey-tor; which is probably its
easternmost projection. Mudge's map may be referred to for
these points.
Gneiss has no where occurred to me, within this range;
but the slate, where in contact with the granite, is often
micaceous — as at Meavy, Shaugfa, Black«alder«tor, Hey-tor
&c. • These micaceous slates extend but little way from the
granite, clay slate succeeding; though usually separated by
an interyening valley. At Black-alder-tor, the mica slate
merely covers the g^ranite like a peel. The only place I met
with, where the soil on this slate was extensive enough for
cultivation, is at Hey-tor; where it appeared to yield good
crops of corn.
. In other cases, as at Collard and Walkhampton, the slate
in contact with the granite is not spangled ; but has a general
glimmering sur&ce approaching to that of talc, without the
unctuous feel of magnesian minerals. This slate is not un-
favorable to agriculture.
OnYanadon-down; from the Western-beacon to Ugborough
beacon ; and in a larger tract from Dean to Holne, a hard stony
slate bounds the granite. This rises into steep and high hills,
unfertile, except in wood. It dips regularly away from
the granite, at different degrees of declivity, but generally
sleep.
Great part of the way from Ugborough-beacon to Deany-
wood) and again on the north side of the Dart, the granite is
Digitized by VjOOQIC
2i PRIDEAUX-^OEOtiOaY OF THB
bauncled by a rock ruimiiig into all ite creaks and bays^ and
rifiing into hilLi of no great altitiHle. This is a killas, with
the texture of Ane clay slate, but little of its laminar structure*
It differs from the ordinary appearance of greywacke, heM}
but IB known to the country people by Ihe same appellation
^Blue Dun,*' and sometimes passes into more decided grey*
wacke, at a distance from the granite. It is very regtilmr hi
dip ; reposing upon the sides of the g^nite; but the pomt of
contact never occured to me, though sought with care to
ascertain whether any thing like amalgamation took place.
In many places, the separate rocks jutted out within Airty
yards of each oth^; yet a detached fragment only could be
found, wherein they are in contact. In this fragment the
division is an abrupt line ; the killas deep iron grey ; the
granite pale buff, with the aspect of imperfect crystallization f
distinguishing the granite of veins in Cornwall. In several
parts where this killas is the boundary, the same condition of
the gfranite occurred ; and also where it comes in contact widi
the stratified iron ore, at Hey-tor.
This killas is highly fertile, differing singularly from the
adjoining granite. In no place is this more remarkable, than
at Buckland, on the Dart ; where die killas runs in a trough
between two granite mountains. The vivid green of its turf and
die rich wood running up die acclivities, contrast strikingly
with the pale herbage and bald crowns of its overtopping
neighbours. It appears amidst the slate in Holne parish, and
die different value of the land, marks its superior fertility.
At Yolland estate, at the foot of Shipley<-tor, some fine trees
iqppeared in the midst of the granite; on approaching ^en,
they were found to be growing cm a patch of this killas, not
a tree qpreading out to the granite on eiAer side.
I have heard of no metallic veins in this rock: and»
ahfaongh it exhibitB no striking marks of stratification, pre-
nents nn vertiges of organic remains, mMl fies mmediateiy on
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eOUNTftT NEAR PLYMOUTH. 25
die granite; it appears to me to be a transition rock, belonging
to tbe grqrwacke fiunily.
In several places the moor is extended by high hills of consi-
derable dimensions, composed of various compounds of schorl,
quartz and daystone, or slate. Ringmoor-down, parts of Wig-
ford andBoborough-downs,Crownhill-down and several others,
tare oi this kind. In some cases these i^ocks are compounds of
decided crystals of quartz and schorl ; in others of granular
combinations of the same ingredients; sometimes of particles
so minute, as to be difficult to distinguish by the aid of a
microscope, forming a hard, nearly black, stone ; and most
commonly of this black variety, striped and spotted with
veins or crystals of white quartz, and sometimes with clay-
stone or slate. This rock yields a poor soil, but much better
than granite; the natural herbage on it affects a deep brown
colour, from short shrubs and furze. All the varieties are
known to the miner by the uame of caple, and yield both tin
and copper. Lead in a very trifling quantity is found in it,
' I have be^ unable to find a point of contact between these
rocks and granite; but as the black variety often runs in
distinct veins into the latter rock, they probably do not pass
into each other by gradual transition. Loose blocks of each
lie tumbled together about the hills, at Blatchford and else-
where. The road firom Cadaford-bridge to Cornwood runs
over a long hill, between Saddlesborough and Trowlsworthy-
tor, where not only blocks but gravel of each rock mingled
togeth^, se^DA to form the hill, without any solid rock ; and
it is difficult to say which predominates. The soil formed of
this mixture grows wood pretty well, but does not appear
to have been much cutltivated,
The bounding rock, remaining to be noticed, is trapp;
Cocks-tor, before mentioned, is the first mountain where this
occurs; and it runs north to White-tor, Brazen-tor, and pro-
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26 PRiraAUX.-4}E0L(N»T Of TBB
bably much farther. It is almoet pure hdrn-blende^ in diffcrait
degrees of compactness, and consequently, of specific grwky^
At Cods^tor, and tl^faite^tor, it comas m contact idth
day-slette— at Brazen-tot, with gtanite. Chy-date ocemies
the western side of Coclcs-tor, and fimns a ridge near the
summit, where it comes into contieM^ Willi the trapp, Una
ridge still preserves its. laminar structure, but instead of ita
argillaceous aspect has aranmed that of flhit, aiid gives fire
under the hammer. lA many places it is become ribband
jaiq>er. Similar ribband jasper, but finw, as a minerd i^eci^
men, is found in Mocks, at the foo^ of Whit6i^r ; produced^
in all probability, in the same maimen
At Brazen-tor, where die trapp and granite join, the ponMs
of contact were, as often happens, hidden by turf. It il
however, worth notice, that on the side of Ihe gramte next the
trapp, it is distinguished by the intermixture of todirfes and
veins of granular schorl and quartz; the granite itself assum*
ing the red colour, usual here when tourmaline is present.
Whatever may be the natural relation between schorl and
horn-blende; in this instmce, the minerals are sufficieotly
distinguished by the lesser hardness, ready fusibflity^ and
greenish fracture of Ae hom-Uen(^.
These trapp hills are higher than the granite next totbem,
the dip not very decided. Cocks-'tor appears, in several
positions to dip south east beneath the granite; and such »
the appearance at Brazen-tor— the granite itself seeoto to have
a prevailmg dip in the same direction; laid its south eastern
side, having every induTvation filled iti by the slat^ or haias^
appears to have been at rest from the period when those r6db
were deposited. It nught be inferred, that the trapp had heaved
the granite mass on the nordi West; and gushing out from
beneath, had partially fused the edge of the date wUeh sop^
ported its ether side; but as the dip of the trapp is not jMo,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
QOUNTRT NEAR PLYMOUTH. 27
and Abe granite hilk are not iuglieBl on the ncNrdi west, ibk
Gondinkm can hardly be bonie out so &r as that rock is
concerned.
nioreii anoAer raatanee of due action on die alate. On
the fiJate hiU loofcii^ down on Ivybridge from die nordi, a
rklge near die manmit is of yery beai:^iful green and vfaite
ribbon jasper: whSst die highest peak is of sienitic green^
sttme; whkh judgng from the cdcrar of die herbage that
conceak die rode, extends for « mile or mcfe back to die
granile.
JTnst above die weirJiead of the Tamar, is another graaite
hiH, called Calstock Granite; frmn that being die nearest
town to the quarry: it is die easternmost point oif a €omish
range; dips sondi-^ast by sondi about 20^; is greyish white in
die mass, small grained; of limpid quartz, black and brown
sihrcry micat sfocnla of black sdM>rl and grams of translucid
iauMudine, with some long rh<Mnbs of felsqpar, conented
together by die latter substance, irr^fidariy crystallised.
Reposing on this, south, is date of a whitish yellow colour,
breaking into huge riiomhs ; the bndntt haymg a nodular
at «inev^en £ice, mot deady micaceous.
8oudi4if this dale are Morwell rocks; yery hard primitiye
slate, and havaig in some parts a striated or fibrous, in others
a sort of ^immering speckled appearance. Thence all down
die Tanar, almost to Sahash, we haye a succession of palish
grey slate, dipping south, and becoming gradually softer and
tinged with green, as we proceed soudiward. At Cotehele,
we find the deep iron grey slate only, spangled in some places
wiAmica. It laminates pretty fredy; breaks into rhcmibs; and
is eouiected with, if not traversed by beds of hard grey i^ne,
of fine granular quartz and schorl ; having also a rhomboidal
firaetmre in die large, but granular in the smdl. This slate
seems to dip away firmn the western granite, wbmoe it is
Digitized by VjOOQIC
28 PRIDEAUX-^GEOLOGY OP THE
distant three or four miles. The beds of granular stone strongly
resembling greywacke are probably a crystallme deposit ; for
I found no indication of the slate being other than prindtire.
After passing Pentillie (south) the slate is looser in texture,
brownish; and haying all the appearance of the transition
slate which alternates with our limestone. Near Saltash, we hare
on both sides of the rirer beds of granular greywacke per*
vadihg the slate, and a few thin beds or veins of limestone;
and this alternation continues on the east bank down to the
Dock-yard, where the limestone formation commences. In
fact, the eastern bank from the weir-head downward, is
generally slate dipping south; cmd it is remarkmble, that the
dip increases as we recede from the granite, Morwell rocks
scarcely diverging 10^ from the horizontal line, and those near
Saltash approaching almost as near to the vertical.
A line drawn from the granite at Calstock, to diat at
Sheeps-tor, will lie east by south, and pass I believe, entirely
over slate, of varying dip, not only in declivity but in direc-
tion ; each hill often differing in these respects from the next.
Sometimes it is disturbed in the same hills by clefts and veins.
These irregularities might have been expected, from the posi-
tion between two granite eminences, as above mentioned. This
slate varies in colour; whitish, greenish, red, grey: the two
first rising high, pervaded with quartz, and little productive;
the grey, soft and fertile ; and the red, where not too cold
from elevation, perhaps still more favorable to agriculture.
The grey, forms much of the fertile soil, toward Tavistock;
the red, round Walkhampton.
Just north of this line, on Morwell-down, are blocks of
coarse porphyry, with rhombs of feddish buff felspar ; the
rock in situ occurring to the miners, probably undemeadi
the slate; for though these blocks lie about upon the slate,
for some miles, the rock itself did not fell in my way. The
Digitized by VjOOQIC
COUNTRY NEAR PLYMOUTH. 29
Baloie porphyry is, however, found at Grenofen, three miles
farther east, about a mile north of the line above stated;
where it is quarried for mending the road, and again in larger
quantity about Walkhampton : it breaks into flat pieces, and
seems to yield to the weather. The superincumbent soil, at
Grenofen and Walkhampton, is fertile; but whether from
greater elevation, or from the porphyry being covered with
hard slate, I did not observe this character on Morwell-down.
North of Grenofen, slate prevails both eastward and westward ;
the country about Tavistock, however, still needing geological
investigation, for which it presents an interesting field.
Southward of the above stated line, the entire peninsula
between the Tamar and Tavy is slate ; dipping almost uni-
formly south; and becoming softer and less elevated as it
proceeds southward frcnn the granite. In the northern part
of this peninsula, some is gritty and whitish, other softer
and grey ; but more generally it is hard and greenish, with
white quartz veins, and strewed with snow-white bowlders of
the latter substance, retaining sufficient marks of their origin;
which having withstood the atmospheric depredations on their
kindred slate, were probably rolled about and rounded by the
deluge. Some very large and heavy masses still retain their
native position, protruding their white shoulders through the
slate. These bowlders disappear before we reach Beeralston;
and the hill tops, wild and unproductive from the hardness
of the stone and want of shelter, present a fine contrast widi
the lively green of the southward view, down the valleys
bordering the Tavy, and the wooded sides of their low hills;
all of soft slate. This slate is metalliferous, the country being
pierced with mines of tin, copper, lead and silver, almost from
Tavistock to the confluence of the two rivers.
East of the Tavy, and between that and the Mew, the wild
elevated tract under several names may be generally included
under the term of Roborough-down. Distinguished from the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
80 PRIDBAUX-OECMLOGY OF TH£
neighbouring granite, by the greenness of its bordering valleys,
and the copse covering its declivites, it is again a slate format
tion. The predominant dip is westward of «outh at least 40^,
but the pofiitionis a good deal disturbed ; and it is intersected
by other rocks in several places.
At the point where the road turns off to Dartmoor prison,
just above the western elbow of the Mew river, is a remarkable
projecting rock, rising out of the slate. It consists <^ quartz,
slaty lamina, iron ochre and schorl ; forming a caple of the
miners, and appears to be a vein pervading the slate; its
prominence due to its superior power of resisting the weather.
It nms nearly westward across the down, exhibiting the gen«
eral dip of the neighbourhood, though probably not tw^ily
feet wide ; similar appearances, on a smaUer jscale, occur in
other parts of the down.
Southward of this, running from nearly opposite Hoo Meavy
to Bickham, is a bed of singular porphyry, with no defined
dipt bowlders of which are strewed about the down so exten-
sively, as to have acquired for it the name of ^Rolxn^ugh
Down stone." It is almost white on fresh fracture, beconung
brown by the weather, and is frdl of small cavities, seldom
exceediug 0,1 inch diameter. It is thinly disseminated with
minute crystals of limpid quartz; and the cavities, which
iqptpear to be cubical when regularly formed, contain in some
instances, remains of the matter with which they were originally
fiUed.
The cement, forming nine-tenths of the stone has an earthy
fracture; yields, when scraped, a powder sparkling with a
micaceous aspect; and is very imperfectly frisible before the
blowpipe. It is perhaps mica, in a very fine granular form,
if such an appellation be permitted. The same rock appears
agam, west of the Tamar, at Harewood, where it is quarried :
but the quarry presents only loose buried blocks. On the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
msmmmmm^^m
COUNTRY NEAR PLYMOUTH. 91
south eafltern angle of the down, towiyrds ShaogJi and Biekldgh,
lf€ hare tiie hard black or narbled compoond of (|iiart]& and
schorl ; and lower down approachii^ the riyer, gritty ihie^
fi^pangled with mica: neither of which rocks I could find
exposed, so as to distinguish its relatiTe position; tfaov^h the
black rock often protrudes angles Aroi^h Ae turf, and
detached flagaon ts of both, corer the ground*
After leaidBgltoboroiigh-^lown, the whole oomitry betweett
the Plym and Tamar, for two miles south, is slate, generally
hard, with a regular southerly dip; traversed byasi^glebed
ef coB^mct felspar, which iscut by the ra9*road near Fancy,
iHiere it is not abore thirty feet wide; and by bfood vdm
ef qtnstx.
About two mileB soodi of Biddeig^, the Plym rirer eats
a bed of excellent roofing slate, worked to a considerable
extant on boA its banks* Cann quarry, the easleni workings
presentiiig a beautiful pietMre, fircm the rail-^ood. This slate
has the coBfannable steep southerly dip«-*it8 natural sutfiice
is clothed with wood*
A sluM^KilBnce south of this, the railroad cut out of the
hfll sides poralM fo the rirw, Itty^ open an extensive rock
of greenstone* lliere is a little contortion of theslaty lamina,
as it appioadiestlus gremistolie, and tlie date its^ becomes
pale green ; a colour which continues^ where the rock loses
the slaty form, and becomes fine graiular. As the grain be->
comes coarser, the colour deepens; unt3 the rock acquires a
de^ green hue and rough granular texture : little white blades
of felqrar shcjwing m some jfMorts; and black spots of hom«
blende becoming evident when a piece of the stone ii breathed
oi* There is, in one place, an appearance of dip south
westward about 80^; but the deavage linee are generally too
irregular to put nraoh oonfldwee in.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
wmmmmmm
32 PRIDEAUX— GEOLOGY OF THE
It rises into hills, not so high as the slate ; the soil upon it
being fertile. The twin hills, on which stand the houses of
Rock and Estover, are composed of it, and it probably ex-
tends no farther, for I could not find it at the distance of a
mile from the river, in any direction. It is all around bounded
by slate, passing into it by the gradual transition above des-
cribed, wherever the limits appeared. The greenstone seems
to be an intruder; not however exhibiting the decided marks
. of igneous action said frequaitly to accompany it.
About the same parallel conmiences a formation of grey-
wacke; its northernmost point beii^ near Knackersknowle;
and mixed widi a soft slate ; each often passing insensibly into
the other, forming the high ground which branches out one
mile and half west by north to Honiknowle ; again the same
distance west to Penny cross; and again three miles south west
to Swilley ; where it is extensively quarried. The souifchern
boundary runs in a curve line to and across the top of Towns-
endJiUl, where a ridge appears to mark die limit, to a hill
just south of the village of Crabtree, where a similar ridge is
seen, at the quarry, to indicate the line of separation jfrom the
slate. The greatest breadth of this g^ey wacke from north to
south may be two miles; frt)m east to west it runs four miles
at least; and as we have it again just bdiind Saltram, it is
probably connected with the shnilar rock which appears as
has been already stated, to follow in some places, the outline
of the moor. Here, as elsewhere, the soO on the greywacke
is of distinguished fertility ; and particularly where it is ift
contact with the slate.
This greywacke, here called ^Bunstone," is generally
compact, and hard enough to make a good roadstone. It
suffers from the weather; particularly where it happens to
present an eastam face, south of the granite ; mouldering and
becoming honeyMH)mbed, the hollows containing ochreoiiB
matter. It is often disseminated with amygdaloid granules of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
COUNTRY NJSAB PLYMOUTH. 33
limpid crystallized cavbenate of lime, and sometimes of black
schorl— and it generally returns the odour distinctive of hom-
hlmide, when breathed on. Veins of qnartz accompanied with
pulyerulent black oxide of manganese often occur, particulary
in tbe slaty portions | and the latter substance occasionally fills
the pores of the exposed rock; instead of the oohreous matter
aboyementioned. It is yery fusible before die blowpipe, which
joined to its susceptibility to the weadier^ seems to indicate jts
containiBg an alkali.
A distinction appears between the slate belongmg te the
dunstoney and the transition south of it^ partioularly the blue
slate* At Crabiree, this blue slate comes in contact widi the
dunstene^ (whicfav at this point is granular,) with an abrupt
liner of division ; and yet this same slate is found in amygda-
loid fcNnuations^ in the body gS the dunstone itself. They ape
finrmations, and not breccia; because their surfaces are ill
defined, and the lamina of the different nodule% bx apart, are
parallel with each odier, and with the slate rock. This seems
lo mark a particular disposition to sqmration: whilst the
Dunstone slate often passes so gradually into the compact
rook, that two observers will hardly agree where the Ikie of
sq^aratioB fdiould be drawn*
A detached l^tof greywacke is <)narried behind Mount
Tamar House, half a mile south of St. Budeaux. It runs in
thin beds,, or veins, through the slate, to Saltash, as has been
before observed* This greywacke is granular, and has so much
resemblance- to the last named greenstone^ that judging from
our own neighbourhood only, I should have felt disposed to
assign to these rooks an* allied inrigin.
No metidlic veins have be« observed, in eUhet the greeU'^
stone or grey wBd&e.^
A haid black rock, with white <|uaits v^iw^ cUled by the
£
Digitized by VjOOQIC
34 PRIDEAUX— 6E0L0GV OF TfiE
country people ^'Blackacre/' yery different from greywacke,
sometimes caps the slate hills. It is most conspicuous at
Warleigh-tor; where it lies comformably with the slate, and
laminates in some parts. I do not know diat it requnres partis
cular notice; being perhaps nothing but slate, widi a larg^
proportion of silica.
The clay slate at Cann-quarry seems to draw a line of
distinction, between the harder, trayersed by broad quartz
yeins, which lies north of that bed; and the softer and more
fertile to the southward. To the latter there is perhaps an
exception at St. Budeaux : where, although not deficient in
fertility, the slate assumes a hard and somewhat nodular tex-
ture; much like that of Morwell rock. It rises high and
steep, and looks like a hill of primitiye slate protruding
through the tranntion rocks. It is accompanied by two other
insular rocks; each appearing in only one small point; and no
where else within the compass of this sketch.
The first of these is a felspar or porphyry, with a decayed
appearance, full of cracks: and pervaded by spicules of
schorl, sometimes an inch long* It rises at the comer of a
field, just where the King's Tamerton road forks off, from that
leading from St. Budeaux to the Saltash turnpike ; and has a
dip south-east, or even more easterly ; the strata around it
dipping westward of south. The other appears at the angle
where the St. Budeaux road joins that turnpike ; occupying
again the comer of a field, as a sort of quarry. It exhibits
rounded masses, looking not unlike granite bowlders; some
projecting from the soil, where it is cut down to a vertical face,
the others standing up from the rock beneath. In the latter
is some appearance of cleayage, corresponding with the dip of
the country. The blocks projecting from the soil look as
hard as any, but a kick disintegrates some of them entirely ;
and when cut down with a spade, they exhibit concentric
lines, appearing to decay in irregular balkn-whence doubtless
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OOdfrnT NEAR PLYMOUTH. 35
their bowlder-like appearance. The soil, formed of the disin.
tegrated rock, looks something like a soft micaceous sand ;
but being compressed, and again shaken loose, the glistening
disappears, and it shews a soft, free soil. Round the rock it
appears very fertile; but there is no clear indication how far
it extends beneath* The stone is composed of a yery fusible
mica, brown and semimetallic in appearance; and granules
of white felspar: whence the granitic appearance above
noticed.
From the south of the greywacke, slate, dipping generally
south, and covered with a fertile soil, occupies all the country
till we reach the limestone. At the Lary-bridge we see at
once, the different form of the hills of slate and limestone ;
the different level they attain ; the alternation between the two
rocks at the point of contact : and after continued dry weather
( a rare condition here, between the Atlantic and the granite
peaks ) the different character of their soil, in the colour of
the turf.
As the slate approaches the limestone, tables of limestone
lie in it ; and as the latter becomes predominant, it is pervaded
with slaty lamina, for a considerable distance. Where in
contact the two rocks are conformable in position ; but the
limestone in other points, is less regular in dip than the slate.
The hills of limestone are much less elevated than those of
slate, and whilst the latter rise gently from the south and fall
steep northward, those of limestone assume a contrary incli«
nation. The soil on the limestone is thin, and dries quickly ;
that on the slate deeper, and retentive of moisture : the lime
being the most fertile, except in dry weather.
No organic remains are found in the rocks northward ; nor
in the slate, until just about its junction with the limestone.
Even there they are so rare, that I have met with none in situ;
but encrinal columns have been found in the slate by the Rev. '
Digitized by VjOOQIC
36 PRIDBAUX-^OBOLOeY OF 1^
Richard HenlialH F, 6. S. In the limestone they are abundant ;
and in the copious collection of that gentleman, offer noyelty
as If ell as variety to the investigator. In the hope that this
pcqper will be soon followed by one from him, on the organic
remains of our limestone, I leave that part of the subject entirely
in his hands; conscious that from inclination as well as oppor«
tunity he is better qualified for it than myself. Catdown and
Teat's-hill are entirely limestone; which very soon after parting
from the slate, assumes a reddish hue, from the presence of sili-
ceous matter of that colour. This presenitly after, appears in
bulk in thecharacter of the old red i^^ndstpne ; alternating with
the limestone, south, though much less strikingly than the slate
does northw^d. The Hoe also is limestone, as well as some
of the south part of the town : but it is the mere ridge next
the sea, in this place; for the new houses in Lockyer-street,
are founded on slate. Westward it passes farther inland.
The new Crescent is founded on the alternation of slate and
limestone; and at the back of Millbay, we have the latter rock
extensively quarried, and rising into respectable hills. As
we go on to Devonport, we have it on the south side of the
rpad, and slate on the north. V^ry little of die town of
Devonport stands ojk limestone; greywacke running so far
south there, as to form the hill, on whi^h is built the new
Town-hall. The limesione terminates west, with Bunker's-
hill, in the Dock-yard*
There is a marked diversity in ojor limestone ; in texture>
position, and contained animal reliques. Th^ eastern is pro*
bably the oldest, and the western the newest deposit: but the
consideration of this subje^^t may more properly belong to
Mr. Hennah's paper. 1 will only observe here, that if it
prove so, oiir limestone is a different formation frcmi that
farther east, which Mr. De la Beche refers tp the carboniferous
series. This is also probable from its direction h^re, which is
rather southward of eaiit, as veil a^ from the loore crystalline
appearance of the stone.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
COUNTRY NBAR PLYMOUTH. 37
DeTi)'»*pomt» paralkl with an outlying rock at Mount
Edgcumbef au<l tht^ Penln^a of Mount Batteiif k the south<-
erninoi^t pmjcK^tioii of this limestoue ; aiid not only contains a
good d^^al of t^ sand, io iu texture^ but i^ traversiMl by
eoafomiable beds of uinQixed red sandstone; one of whicb
20 feet tbick, w$s laid open iu digging away the ground for
tbe new Victualling Office; and otJiars, smalter are visible in
seyeral places.
As ja»t stated* there is a soiall deposit of limeetone at the
northern angle of Mount Edgcumbe; and on tbe opposite side
of the barboitr^ Mount Batten, k a hill of tlie Bame material :
these two outliers forming an ea^it and we«t Hue with the
lieiestoue projection at Dev^ilVpoiut, and at the Oregton
fju^rric^ The soil upon the limestone is abundantly pro-
ductive, in our moist climate. The roek is not metal liferoui
in any part of this range. It contains numerous cavities
lined tn many ca^csp with stalactite of deticate and beautiful
forms^ In $ome instances they are partly filled with clay;
mixed upt in a few cases, with hones, havtug the characters
of diluvial reUques. A greater number cautain water; the
largest, under the quarries by the Marine barracks, forming
an immense reservoir of fresh water* into which a stream is
heard to pour. Sosia particulars of this cavern, with a wood
eut, may be seen in the Plymouth Herald of June 30, 1827.
It may be sufficient here to me^tioiif that its extent is such as
to require a boat for surveying the interior: at pre^nt it is
inaccessible.
Hitlierto we have found a tolerably regular disposition of
the stra^ from tbe granite upwards; farther souths on the
sides of the harbour, we find the greatest disturbance.
At Mount BatteB^ the limestone lic^ nearly vertical; in
some places even overhanging south. The hiJl south of it, la
mix slate, dipping generally SQUtbwardf ibough in sooio places
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i
36 PRIDEAUX-GEOLOQY OF THE
irr^gfular; and behind, appearing even to dip north-east^
under the limestone at Tumchapel. A ridge of dunstone
rons through it toward St. Nicholas' Island, which is of that
stone, much disturbed in position ; the predominant dip north-
ward, unless the strata overhang. The adjoining reef of
rocks, the bridge, appears to correspond; and as migpht be
expected, a similar f(N*mation occurs at Mount Edgcumbe;
where, however the stratification is less disturbed, dipping
westward of south. The southern part of Mount Edgcumbe
corresponds with Staddon-heights; bodi running high, to
nearly the same level; and being alike composed of well
defined strata of slate, dunstone and red sandstone, mixed
together and dipping in different directions, and at different
angles. Flakes of sandstone, on the eastern side, eight inches
thick, and some yards long, copiously veined with white
quartz, having slipped off, and lying rolled together, for lOQ
or 200 yards along the coast. These rolls look, from innu*
merable cracks on the convex side, as if they had fallen in a
tough state, from igneous aemifnsion. Such appearances, on
a smaller scale, occur also at the island; but not on the Mount
Edgcumbe side. Turning the point into Boveysand-bay,
there is a projecting ridge of very hard dunstone, over whidi
the sandstone and slate hang saddlewise. It looks as if it had
heaved the others, till the strata fell over, as above described ;
a case not very probable, as the correaponding formation at
Mount Edgcumbe reaches the same level, without any similar
appearance.
In the country behind Staddon^heights, I found stone
looking like the passage of greywacke into red sandstone;
but it is so covered with turf, that we cannot trace one into
tbeoth^«
South of Boveysand-bay, is red sandstone without much
admixture; dipping irregularly to the south eastward. A
.ledge prqjects from this, into the sea, called the Shag-rock.
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COUNTRY NKAR PLTftlOUTH. 39
Thk n of white quartz, with streaks and patches of red sand;
and appears to be a van, hard enough to have resisted the
encroachments of the sea on its matrix. On the western side
of the harbour, we find the same sandstmie, occupying Caw-
sand-bay and the hill behind ; but standing nearly yertical ;
the strata running south-east and north-west; but diyerging
a good deal on both sides. The Cawsand-bay sandstone is
deeper red, and has little carities, some of which are filled
with white nodules; and the same white substance also yari^
^ates and interlines it, in some places, looking not unlike
mortar.
The NorAemmost beds of sandstone break into obtuse
rtiombs, fit for street parity; for which purpose that on the
eastern side is quarried.
The coast south of Cawsand-bay, to the Rame-head is
greywacke date, and greywacke, in very distinct vertical
strata. In one place where the ends appear, two or three feet
thick, it looks not unlike columnar basalt, at some distance.
The Mewstone, on the eastern side, does not correspond with
this; being coihposedofred sandstone, and a rather gfritty slate,
full, in some places, of pale greenidi nodules ; perhaps organic
reliques, for such have been found on that side the harbour,
both in slate and sandstone. It is equally dissimilar in dip ;
that of the Mewstone being south by west about 45^. Ilie
strata are laid open by the sea and weather, in such an extra-
ordiniury way, that they look as if displayed by art, in tables
for exhibition. Unlike the exposed heights of Staddon and
Rame, the face of the Mewstone, corresponding to its dip, is
by the direct impact of the Sun's rays^ and its lower level,
covered with luxuriant vegetation, and perfumed, in summer
by numerous wild flowers. Here these formaticms end: the
coast on both sides for some miles, east and west, being com-
posed of slate and sandstone.
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iOPJ 'i^'.. "TOWn^wav^vi^v^Sipi^PHHI
49 PRIDBAirX-^SOUQT OF THE
Sottthwsrd, ne fiyrther diitoitt\^utt the EM^stofte, w^
i^pain fi«id the gmmtei^ \v4di a very decided ate^ south westsrly
dip. Ofie voekvMwbkik standt the I%hi^houMy and that <Mie
oaij, k gneisa;. dipfu^ leaa ate^ in die sane ditf^elioa :
thia»iiglaroak of gaeias baitig thaoaly aba I bare heard ^
ia England.
The whole series fiiaaa the old red saadatmM ilpwaid% is
wanting h«re» Dttuvinm we hava in>a few caves of the liaie*
stone, as before stated; but no whereon the snr&ca: aUurial
marsh lands, are extensive and increasing.
It was observed^ that the hUb of orfxeddaleaiidaEUidslone,
fimning StaddcmJieighlfl and Mo««l Edgcnmbe,. though irr6»
g^lar in formation, and a mile apait, reach the same leveL
The same may be observed of the limestone, which, though
intersected in sevend' plaoesi £Nrms a tidga from Mount Wise
to the OrestoQ quarriesyalmest as level as the top of a wall.
The limestone halls have a gentle ascent on the iiortiieni
side and dip steep to the southward ; the position of the slate
and gi^ywacke hills is the reverie of this: the. gi^y^mcke
often showing its place by a ridge along the hill. Except the
' limestone, the whole country rises gradually toward the granite.
The principal water cefwses^ the TaBMttwTairy and Plym»
cannot be taken as indieatioiMi of die general directian of the
vidleys. Amongst the greatest inregnlarity, east and west,
corresponding with the goiaval run <^ tbe strata, have the
predomiaance. And if the lUHrtb and aouth valleys pf the
Plym and Tavy, be principally, and that of the Tamaf paru
tially,^ the eflBect of heavy cuvrents^ at» or prior to, the geiMsnd
deluge; some of the smaller valleys in that direction, are
original ; the strata lying in difievent poakioas, on the opposite
sides. That of the Compton brook may serve as a fiuniliar
example.
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CXyUKtKY imAB PLYUDUTH.
41
CATALOGUE OF^GEOLOGtCAL SPECIMENS, fllOM
THE ROCICS ABOM ^lilfrfo^tH.
Ji Granites of Dartmoor^ &c.
I CwmongtmaU
% Tmef ditto
Itaytoi' ateA Gabtdek
aBed dHtt)
Trowlsworthy &c.
4 Compact ditto
Pen-beacon (south)
5 Granite. Bed of the Erme
Dip (of gf^ter cleavage) variable:
gen^nlly MUthWard of East
Metalliferous.
^Mountainous; vegetatioiv scanty;
no wood. '
I A crag usudlty projects at the sum-
mit ; and often at the sides.
(fiarther ddutli)
B Kocks bordering the grailite of Dartmoor.
*^ip unctHaia: F>riia|B totith by
m east, or more east : and if so un-
> derlying the granite. . High
% mountain; vegetation scaniy.
J Ctig^ sttHihii.
Dip variable, and difficult to deter-
1 Horn-blende rock
Cockstor, &c.
2 YflBPietiesof scborlroclQ
Robopcnag^^ kC0 &cw
mine — Metalliferous— Hilly—
i^ummits bfeak and rather bare—
Valleys and hills sides clothed
with* c6ppicie — Soil often deepish*
3 Qiiirte tfooky wilb ^ywtxnriit ^Ca^h'' of minelf^^MMlliferdus.
•» da^bte. y A«ri6tiltanlfchanBt»8 as B 2.
'\ Quantity exposed small, generally
Haijrlor^ reposing on the granite; but
^ having some appeaninoe <4 un-
j derlying Shaugh«tor.
4 Mkai^eottfi date.
5 IficMSeras, f^H^amg into
clayslate. Cotehela.
I Dip south east : appearing to rest
aglJWI fLMm^A^am^ in
(Cornwall — Hifly<^Fe9iil6 ; co-
vered with fine wood.
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42
FRIDBAUX— GEOIiOGT OF THE
Claydate.
MorweH-down &c« &c.
I
Dip genenDy soath — ^MetaDiferoof
Hilly — Agriottltoral character
rather more fiivorable than B 2.
^ Dip right awaj from the granite;
7 Compact claydate. Killaa. 1 ^„ ^^^ j^ ^p^^ ^^^ ^^^
(Greywacke) borderingC Uferous? Hilly; but less so than
themoorforanexten8i.eC the above-Ertremely fertile-
"^ Wood remarkably fine and rich.
range.
8 Ribband jagper*
Ivybridge &c.
\
The edge ofclayslate, in contact
^ith trapp.
C Rocks (primitive) not in contact with the granite.
Fine clay slate.
Cann-quarry, &c*
}
Dip south — Hilly — Sides and snm-
mits covered with copse, or fine
wood.
Granitoid porphyry
Walkhampton, Grenofen^
&c. ^
'\ Dip abont sooth by east? reposing
Porphyry, with base of
compact mica, or clay«t
stone. Roborongh.
on slate — appears to form Gren-
ofen hill, whidi is fertile and
wen wooded.
I Dip diflbmit to determine, probably
eastward of south — ^Reposes on
slate— MetaOiferotts.
Felspar rock /^ Narrow beds running thioogh the
Rail-road, near Faiicyy>- shUe; exhibiting no distinotire
CoUard, Blatchford &cS agricultural characters.
^Dip not plain ; connected with slate.
Greenstone f Appears to form the fertile hill of
Rail-road ^ Rock and Estover estates — ^well
J wooded.
6 Finer greenstonOi daly; ^CSiaraoters as C4; passing into
■^^v^e place y Oayslate.
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COUNTRY NEAR PLTlfOUTH.
48
D Greywacke fonnation, up to the limestone.
Compact grejrwacke
ManacIo0-hill, S willy Slc
Granular greywacke
Mount Tamar,
Crabtree &c.
Greywacke fitate;
between the greywacke,/
and IJmestoae
"Y Dip not ttatially diettnct ; where
visible^ south — Reposing gpon
elate— Forms a range of higli
ground, running north and south
from Knackersknowle lo Towns-
end-bilt ; and from SwiZly, west^
many miles eastward — Highly
fertile and well wooded — Not
metalHferoua,
^Dip south; repoaing on D Z^ —
Forms LipsoD-hJIl, Norlhill, and
alt that line east and wesU Rather
retentive of damp; but suffici-
ently fertile.
4 Siliceoua Slate
6 Rude porphyry
6 Micaceous greywacke?
j Dip south \ reposing on greywaeke
J slate ; forming Warleigh-tor,
^ Detached roek, near St, Budeaux.
y Dip south east.
A small bed, a little south of the
above: dip south — Soil fertile.
RoekB of the shore.
2
3
Limestone, with corallite
Btc.
Ditto with u&ivalve shells ^
Ditto with bivalve
Greywacke
Drake's Island
Dip not quite Qniform; generally
south — HeposcH on greywacke
slate, with which it alternalej^,
north, as it does south, with red
sandstone, which lie^ above it.
Forms a sea t>oundary of low
hill co^rercd with a fertile soil;
but thia and subject to parch in
summer Not metalliferous-
? Dip quite irregular, and apparently
1 disturbed : yielding lo the weather'
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44
FRlDSLA^UL-fOBOLOar QT ISE
6
Greywacke
Boyeysand Bay
Ditto paising into red
sandstone.
I
l>ip UAoartain; ipipwring thrast
up from beneath; and to have
heaved the red sandstone strata
saddlewise.
^Ljttle exposed; dip variable and
V irregular: apparently disturbed
J by heaving froo^ beneath*
7 Red sandstone, coinpact,
Mount Edgcumbe and
Sta4donmbeigbta
8 Ditto porous
Cawsand Bay
Greywacke slate
Jenny CKff» Mewstone,^
Peoke ai»d BMl^
10 Roc^k quartz; Andum
point to the Shagstone
Dip irregulac, oAea vestisal in
Cawsand-bay^ where it is inter-
lined with white sandstone, look-
ing like mortar. The coarse of
the beds also irregular; bat hav-
ing a prevailing tendency soath
east^-^ble is generally intermix-
ed with ih
^Dip, at Jenny Cliff and Mewstone
south west — ^at Penlee, it is ver-
tical — ^that at Jenny Cliff and
the Mewstone is intermixed with
sandstone.
I A broad vein of oompaot quartz,
ruDmng thtoag^ the redsMMistone
and having resisted the encroach-
mamtaof the sea on its matrix.
Gneiss
House rock
2
3
Rocks of the Eddystone.
A single rock, probably 200 feet
squufr; I bdieva the oaly gneiss
in Enghind. Dip, sootltwest.
^ Dip south west. The rocfa near-
Ditto, passing into granitef est the gneiss contain the largest
Granite C proportion of felspar; and have
the most hminar texture.
r
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IjPoim:
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II.
BXPERmEBrrAL INWIRIEA CONCERNING THE LAWS
OF ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONf , BY MR. Tf. S. HARRIS,
MEMBER OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
1. TacpecRlittrariaayeiafliitaf wmmadamdmA nBJiiilaiuJ
condhiclcr csonpiiicd in Ik consleiMiiiai ot flie L&yini
Jaf , iffeus cakulatecl te dgrri up8» iir a miiActaty way,
many iiinMiir— t prop«rlie» cf ctort ck a i octjaifc; it Kaa conw^
quently undergone^ at Farinufi periods, ao mndi investigatioiiy
thai it winM aeeu dUAcolt to gimany aerir mtertat to
iii tkis^iataroifeiag dif itmoul of seieMe; hmA after a lo^
atfiea af okavtatioB md espenment, cartAiUy tomparail
wiA AepvaaeiiladTaiiceAfliaie'of a«r iafarniatioB^ I am lad
lobciiefo, tfiatthe ftlknriap'paqpart will, he- found «a oontoin
some new and important facts, whiek appear hidierto to have
escaped observation ; and, I may therefore hope, that it wOI
not he donned watmmbiff e£ the Sooioly'a jaHtentiaiu
ItmaynotbeimprafieporuRiitanBatuJig^ beftrel pvacaed
more immediately to thaieRfevimtatal h^piiiies^ wfakkare the
subject of this paper, to give a sort of general account of the
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4& MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
i^paratus employed in the conrseof them, it being for the most
part new, and so constructed as to insure as fiur as possible
much precision, leaving more minute details to the acc(»n-
panying drawings*
2. The electrical machine, fig. 1, consists of a circular
plate of glass, three feet in diameter, mounted on an axis,
between two horizontal supporters of mahogany ; these are sus«
tained by four vertical columns, of the same wood, fixed on a
firm base. The rubbers are insulated on pillars of glass, (a)
(&) and are placed ateach extranity of a horizontal diameter
of the plate. The positive conductor (c b d) projects in a ver-
tical position, in front of the plate ; whilst the negative conductor
(a e&) passes in a curvilinear direction behind it and connects the
rubbers of each side. The whole machine is sustained by four
sh<Nrt legs, (mnop) on a steady firame, (no) furnished with
rollers; and also with tiuree levelling screws, (A o />) so that it
may be easOy moved into any required position ; and may be
ev^itnally so adjusted and fixed, that the axis of the plate,
which has firee motion backwards and fcnrwards in the holes,
in which it turns, may not tend more to one side than the
othOT, and produce an unequal action <m the rubben.
The plate is turned by means of an insulated handle,
mediately in front of which, there is a short index, fixed in the
axis, which travds over a divided circle, (I) attached to tiie
horizontal part of the frame, and through the centre of which
the axis passes; thus, the number of revolutions of the plate
may be Accurately estimated. .
The centre of the plate, is strengthened by two smaller
plates of glass, cemented to each side by varnish; and there is
a small stop mserted into the axis, to prevent tiie pressure
firom increasing beyond a certain point
The conductors, when the machine is employed^ to accumu^
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ELBCTRICAL AOCUBfULATlOtS. 47
late a charge, are of aB nnall an extent as possible, and are
coreredf except at the recdying points, with sealing wax.
The positiTe conductor being in this case constructed of small
stnught tubes, as represented in fig^ 2; and its extr^nities
terminate in balls of Tarnished wood, through the substance
of which the necessary metallic communications pass.*
3» The requisite accumulation is obtained by means of
coated jars, which are employed either detached or col-
lectiyely ; they are not furnished with covers, but the charge
isccmreyed directly to the bottom of each jar, by means of
copper tubes, three-eights of an inch in diameter; these
terminate above in balls of baked wood, and are supported
bdow by a convenient foot, firmly canented to the bottom of
Ilie jar; which is previously covered with a circle of pasted
paper, leaving a caitral portion of the coating firee, for llie
p^ect contact of the charging rod, which passes through the
c»ter of the foot, as indicated by the dotted lines in fig. 1.
These jars, when employed either separately <Nr collectively,
are placed <m a conducting base, sustained by sh<Nrt columns
of glass, or some other insulating substance, so that the whde
^ TUs msohliie wis oomtnieted In the year 1994 ; I had prefioady
•aea one on a dnllar prindple, by Mr. Ksgiand, a Snrgieal MeduadcUn of
ooBsiderable ability, retimng in Poland-«treet» London. In Mr. England's
madiine, ibe tame frame which sostains the plate also oarrlet the nibbers in
the nsoal away, bnt it is thrown into a horizontal position, the whole b^ng
insalated and svpportad by Ibv long glass oofamms. The negatiye eondoctor
passes in front vnder one of the arms of the positiTe oolkdnctor.
Mr. Bagland*s maofainehM very great power, and is an immense tmproTe-
■Mnt on those of the ordhiary kfaid. The great adrantage obtained by the
present arrangement, b stability ; the requisite insulating piUars being relieTod
from the weight and straining ofthe ftvned plate, when in aetlon; the eondoo-
tors are adrantageoosly placed, and the axis of the plate can be aoenrately
a^ivsted, wU^ is of great importance in obtaining a steady and equal ez«
citatloo. The whole airaagMMBl win be fdvidTerydaalrablt and extremely
eoonolMilapncliee.
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mmmmmmmm
48 MR. HARftlS ON 9flB LAWS OF
can be insulatod when required}* mdfbr the (mrpoie of allow**
ing them to be charged and discharged with ptetiAian ; Aey
are comiected with what may be considered as tfWo centres of
action ;--4he first of Aese conmts of a brass ball, ^Oj Jigs.
3. 14. 16) which slides wiA friction on a metallic tt>d, (cd) so
as to admit of its beings adjusted to any required dtitude; it
it has a number of small holes, drilled in its circumference for
reeeivmg the points of the eonnectmg rdds of the Jars^^^The
rod wlneh sustains this ball, w dther insulated on a separate
foot, and conneoled with the conductor of the machhie, as in
Jtff. W; or is otiherwise inserted dfrecfly into it, as in Jigt. 14*
The second centre, consists of a laryer bait of metal, fbj
attached ia a firm toot, and placed ott the same conduetii^
base with the jiirs^ seastohaire apcfrfect connection wKhit.
Ihe wire {nh Jiff. 14) employed to transmit Ate explosion,
Iwmmates hi Ais biM*
When it it required to gitv the first centre i^ action
fa) fig. 3. a separate insulation, the insulating rod of
glmm i» screwed immediatdy into the lower bdF; (h) and
emtaiBs thenetidlie rod above described, hf Ae inteft^cMion
of a bi^l ef balced weed, («f) as seen in Jigt. 9 and 16;
the opposite extremity of the rod terminates in a similar ball,
^c) tfarei^^ the substance 0( which, Ate conducting communis
cathm with the machine passes when it is placed on a separate
foot. All the metallic connections are covered witk sealing
wax, except at the points of junction; and the wood balls and
diffepejit inaulationeare'eavefidly varnished*.
4. T^trnisniittlieexplosnnti^ any requfrisd period, two
diflferent methods were employed, according to the circum-
stances of the experiment— Bi the first, the discharge is
effected by means, of the instEument sepresMted in fig^ ir
There axe two* halls of bow («> (b)t placed cm m0t ikt
* RoBin or brimitone answers Terywdl for this porpose; tfie latter is
easnymoaldedto any eo&Tenieiit form, liy pouring It inaititeof Aisioninto
commoQ drinking gUsses.
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SLBCTRICAL ACCUMULATIOIfS. 49
Other about three inches apart — ^The lower one, (b) is insulated
and is connected with the positive side of the jar or battery ;
and the upper one» (a) with the negative side through the
centres of action before described. (3) The ball (a Jig. 4)
connected with the n^^ve centre, is attached to a rod of
brass, (<f ) which falls freely through a smaller ball, (e) when
allowed to do so. It is preserved at a given distance by a
curved and finely pointed brass wire, (n c cf ) inserted into
it; this wire being moveable about a centre (atii) can, by
means of a glass handle, be readily disengaged; and thus
the upp^ ball (a) is allowed to descend on the ball beneath
it, by which the accumulation is always transmitted in a certain
and invariable way, and without leaving any residuum in
the battery,
5» In the second method, the charge is allowed to
proceed until it c^n break through a known interval; to
measure which, a discharging electrometer is employed, Jig. 5
on the principle first proposed by Mr. Lane, and described
in vol. 61 of the Transactions of the Royal Society — ^the
interval between the balls (a and &) being adjusted by a screw
and index, the moticm of which last is shewn by a graduated
circle; (en) thus the interval may be regelated with very
great precision: the connexion with the opposite sides of the
jar are made through the two centres of action, as in the pro-
ceeding case.
This discharg^ing electrcxmeter is also occasionally used
in its more ordinary and simple form^ as represented in^^. 7;
the only differ^ce being that the insulating portion (c d)
terminates in balls of varnished wood, one of which (c) sustains
it, whilst the oth^ (d) contains the tube, through which the
graduated metallic slide passes: there is likewise an additional
]^'> (^) placed in the charging rod, from which the jar dis«
charges itself.
G
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50 ME. HAERB ON THB LAWS OF
U For the purpose of investigating d»$ operation <f( flie
tittractive force of die accumulation, and di6 law o'f its aldtiom
under different conditions, I availed mjself of a JteKcate and
accurate balance, in the following manner:-^
The beam (m njig. 6) is sustained in the requite<]f positioti,
between two vertical rods of glass; (c) (rf) a <jovered wire in-
dicated by the dotted line, (ef) passes through one oi these
and connects it with ihe negative coating. From one of the
arms, (m) k hollow gilded ball of wood, (a) is suspended hf
a metallic ihiread; this ball is about two in^h^ in didBnete^^
and weighs about 160 grains. From the opposite arm, isj^iis^
pended a light brass pan, (^p) by nieans of silk lines m the
usual way — in this pan, is placed as much additidmU weight
as is requisite to balance the ball just mentioned ; and to put
the whole mass in a state -of equQibriuibi. Hie Attractive foit^
of the accumulation, is caused to act directly oh the dtispended
ball (d) by means of an insuiieited ball of brass, (6) o^ the same
dimensions, which is fixed directly tindcr it, and is connected
with the positive coating: it is isd ptiiced, thai it dm be
depressed from cohtact with the siispehded ball, through given
distances, by means of a cylindrical slide, (r) to which it id
ahached, and a socket (Q ; the slide (r) has a scale engraved
on it, divided into twentieths of an inch, and Js supported on
a glass paiar, fey means of a varnished ball of baked wood,
in which the socket is fixed, and through which thie connection
with the positive coating passes.
It will be immediately perceived, that ita this arrangement
the attractive force acts directly between the balls, ia)(b)
and it can therefore be measured undelr any given condition,
by weights, placed in the pan, {p) suspended from the
opposite arm of the beam. The pan is allowed to rest on
a small circular suppoH, (9) the elevation of which can be
changed so as to accommodate it to the horizontal position of the
beam, and check any oscillation: £here if also asmall stop, (#)
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 6J
inserted iato this ataskd, which projects over the pan, and pre-
vents the further descent of the bean), alBter the equilibrium
48 destroyed ; without which, the explosion would pass,, and
destroy the gilding of the ball.
7. Lastly, to measure the effect of a given accumulation,
an electrometer yf^ ^ployed, represented hj^g. 8 : it is very
wnpleinits e(m3ti:uotion, being little more than an air ther-
mometer, having a metallic wire passed air tight through ita
bulb ; it consists of a glass tube, (a b c) whose interior diameter
is somewhat less than the tenth of an inch ; one of its extremi-
ties is bent upwards and outwards for about two inche^ and
is united l>y.weldii](g to aglaiss.cup, at C^;, which is of a ha^
diameter and contains some coloured spirit: the bulb (m^)
iaal>out<three.inch|es.in dianiQter,. and ^ith its transverse wi^e
aboye jnen^oned is j^crewed air 4ight upon this ^cup. The
opposite leg pf.thet^be is ^ust^ed by a graduated scale,
Qib) fixed. on. a conv^nieiit bsise, (b) ax^d the point ^t which
the fluid rests is marked zero. When an electrical e]iplosion
is passed through the wire, the fluid will be observed to ascend
. alwg.the sc^h. Jhe method of fixing the wire is easy ; two
.flaiM^ies of l^r^ss, (m n, Jij/. 9) with projecting screws and
«lwiilder8,,^e,cemeiited in and over the boles drilled through
the,gl^s%theiirireis;pas9ed directly through thebulb by ^leans
of coi^respon^ipg holes in, these flanches, and being gently put
OB the stretch, is secured by short metallic or wpod pegs, by
^wfiich it is sUghtly.eompressed apd retained in its situation.
When metallic pegs are ^sed it is necessary r to have a small
longitudinal notch cut in thenu Both the pegs and extremities
of the whre projett a little for the convenience of removal ; and
fikrm wkm of varkras kinds, and ^ different diameters, may
be easily substituted.* The whole is finally rendered air t^ht
by means of small balls of brass, which are made flat at one
extremity, and screwed on the projecting parts of the flanches,
Afpmat a collar of leather as shewn in ^g. 9.
* See Trtnsactioiis of the Royal Society, for 16i7, pt. i. p. 18.
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52 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
The metal best suited for measuring the force of an explo^
sion in this way, is platinum; it is easily acted on, and not
liable to oxidation* The wire may vary in diameter, between
the 50th and 150th of an inch, according to the circumstances
of the experiment. This method of estimating the effects of
electrical explosions by their action on metals, will be found
very convenient, and it is susceptible of much greater accu-
racy than the ordinary means by the fusion of metallic wire,
which appears to be somewhat uncertain and precarious, when
reduced to practice. *
9. In the detail of these inquiries, concerning the laws of
electrical accumulations, our attention will be directed; —
1 — to the quantity of matter accumulated* 2 — to the in-
tensity, or free action of the accumulation* 3 — to the
extent and disposition of the surface, on which the matter has
been distributed* 4 — ^to the effects of the explosion: the
quantity of matter, the surface and the intensity, being varied
according to certain conditions* t
10* The relative quantity of matter may be measured by
the revolutions of the electrical machine, employed to produce
the accumulation; for if one revolution produces one quantity,
as it assuredly does, then two revolutions should produce
double that quantity, and so on, supposing the machine to be
in good and uniform action, during the given time; but the
precise manner in which a charge thus accumulates, not having
been clearly determined, it is necessary to demonstrate, by
* Cpthberteon*! Pradieal Etoctridty, p. 186*
f The immedUte cause of eleetrloel phanoBMna, miift be eonsidered
as an agent of a peculiar kind, and if material, dilMng eiieptially from the
nsnal fonns of matter. The hypothesis of materiality, has only been assumed
that we may be the better enabled to connect the results of eiperiment, and
reason on them ;— the only legitimate end for which hypothesis is at all ad-
missible ; whether electrical agency be material, or tto in the ordinary icceptatioB
of the word, I do not presume to determine.
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 53
experiment, that an artificial electrical accumulation, on a
coated surfaee, may be supposed to proceed, by equal incre-
ments*
There are however, a few previous experiments, requisite
to be detailed, because they seem to constitute the basis on
which the above conclusion rests. *
Exp. 1. (^fig. 10) A jar, (a) containing five square
feet of coated surfece, being insulated ; its inner coating was
connected with the positive conductor, and its outer coating
with the negative conductor. The discharging electrometer,
fig. 7, was attached to the jar, and the dntance between the
balls, set to an interval of thre^^nihs of an inch. In order
to estimate the effects of the explosion, the negative ball was
connected with the outer coating, through the electrometer,
before described; (J^* 8) which last, was also carefully
insulated. When three turns and three quarters of the plate
were completed, the explosion took place, between the- balls,
and passmg dirough the wire, elevated the fluid, nine degrees
of the scale.
Exp. 2. The outer coating of the jar, being connected with
the ground instead of with the negative conductor, the same
result was obtained; the fluid was again elevated nine de*
grees, and with the same number of turns of the plate.
Exp. 8. The outer coating of the jar, (a^ being joined
* It mfty not be improper to state, that In the course of these inquiries, it
has bemi thought desirable to submit to a rigorous examination, some few phe-
nomena, in the sdence of eleetridty, already known, but which, neyertheless,
do not appear to hare undergone a very severe scrutiny, by experiment ; not
only because this constituted a necessary step in the investigation, but because
it seemed more satisfMtory to apply the same method of demonstration to
fitcts which have been admitted, as wu resorted to for the purpose of farther
research.
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54 MB. HARRIS ON TH^ LAWS OF
to the iimer coating ef a second and perfectly similar jar,* (B)
and the connection with the negative conductor, or with the
ground, completed through the outer coating of this last,
the machine was again put in action* — ^The explosion again
passed at the end of the same mmiber of turns, and again
elevated the Auid nine degrees. This arrangement is repre-
sented in Jig. 11 ; except, that Ae electrometers must be
supposed to remain with the insulated jar, as seen in fig. 10.
Exp* 4. (fig. 11) The matter which had accumulated in
the second jar, (b) frcmi the.outer.coating of the first jar, (a)
being discharged; the electrometers, were transferred to this
Jast, in order to ascertainof the accumulation in (b) was pre-
cisely similar to that which ^ook place in the first jar (a).
The machine being put in action, die .explosion again passed
at the end of the same number of turns, and again elevated
the fluid, nine d^ees as before.
£xp* 6. (fig. 12) The electrometers, being again trans-^
ferredto the jar, fxj as in exp* 1. fig. 10; die second jar,
fBj was also insulated, and its inner coating connected with the
negative conductor; the outer coatings of the two jars being
joined by a metallic rod (m). Under these circomstances, die
explosion again occured, at the .end of die^sapie number of
. turns, and with the same ^e^ as before*.
Exp* 6. Lastly, the electrometers being transferred to
the jar, fs) charged -from the negative .conductor; the
machine was again put in action : die discharge again passed
as in the preceding cases, and again raised the fluid nine
degrees of the scale. I repeated these experiments with jars.
* By a perfectly similar jar, Is to be nndentood^ a jar wUch iffll explode
oyer a giyen interral with the same number of roTolntioiis of the plate, and
cause the fluid to ascend along the scale of the electrometer, Jiff, S, the same
number of degrees.
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 55
mot preciflely mimlar; by alfeniating tbein, and taking the
mean resuhs, tmd anitred at the same conelusions.
11, We may therefore infer: 1 — that preeijsely the i^iiio
charge accnmutates on a coated snri a C€*; whether we imppo^ii^
the oppf^ite coating to be insulated and connected with one of
the coiiductorft of the machine, or whether it be in a freely
uninsulated state^ or otheni'be, whether it operate throxigfh an
intervening jar, 2 — that the charge conveyed to an interven-
ing' and similar jar, is precisely equal to the charge convej iif
to the first jar^ in connexion with the conductor of the maebiiie.
12. The*!e experniaehfa Wing premised, ire pfk^ on to tlie
more inmiedtate object of this part of the inquiry. (10)
i
£xp. 7, The jars and electrometers being arranged, oa
in ^fjf. 1 1 1 the explo3?ion a^in posset! at h^mewfaat legs than
four turns of the plate, and again raised the fl aid nine degree?!,
as in exp, 4. The «imall residuum in the jar, (b) being dis-
charged, the machine was ^;ain put in action ; — the first jar,
(a) connected with the conductor, remaining charged with
the previous accumulation; when the same number of hims
had been completed* the jar (n) discharged again^ and with
precisely the same effect 00 the wire as before.
Exp, 8. (fig* 13) A small jar, fh) containing ahtmt
a square foot, and two^tenths, of coated surface, being sub-
stituted for the jar (n), the eispIosioD took place, at about
each turn of the plate, until the jar (A) became fully charged.
Now in these instances, the jars, (b,) (by being charged
fromtheouter coating of the insulated jar, (a) their ex plo.
sions became a fair measure of the relative quantiticfi of
matter, communicated by the machine. fExp^ 3 and 4^ and
as these explosions corr^ond in each case to equal numtjern
of revolutions, whilst the receiving jar, (a) was charging
in any degree short of saturation, it followst that the accu»
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06 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
mulation in (A,y must have proceeded by equal increments;
and consequently, that equal quantities of matter were thrown
on at each turn.
Exp. 9. In order to ascertain if these explosions would
take place in a similar way, when two or more jars, were
substituted for the jar (a.) The experiment was arranged,
as represented in fig. 16; the jars and electrometers being
carefully insulated — the result however remained the same ;
the small jar discharged as before, and in precisely the
same way. The explosions of a second jar, therefore, in con-
nexion with the opposite coating of a charging surface,
whether in a divided or undivided state, may be also considered
as a fair measure, of the relative quantities of matter accumu«
lated.
Exp. 10. (fig. 12). Two equal and similar jars, (a) (b)
were insulated, and connected, one with the n^ative, and
the other with the positive conductor, as in exp. 6; — the
outer coatings being joined by a metallic rod (mj. In this case,
as much matter as was conveyed into the positive jar, (a)
was evidently taken from the negative jar, (b) and recipro-
cally. The effects of the ^accumulation in either system,
estimated as before, at g^ven intervals, were precisely the same,
and corresponded to an equal number of turns of the plate:
consequently, the respective quantities which continued to
accumulate in the opposite system after eadi discharge, must
have been alcto precisely similar.
13. These experiniMts rdate to quantity ; and thay evi-
dently shew : 1 — that equal quantities are given off at
each revolution of the pl«|e, (if in a state of uniform action,)
whether to 4m u$u^arged iutfacCf or to a surjhce charged in
amy degree short qf saiuraiiam. 2 — that a coated surface,
charging in any d^^ee short of saturation, receives equal
quantities, in equal times; all other things remaining the
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ELECtniCAL ACCUMULATIOm. 57
Sftine-^whence, it may be inferred, that the mrmber of rerolu-
tions of the electrical machiae us, under fche above conditio u, a
fair measure of the relative quantity of matter. 3 — That the
explosions of a jar, charging from one of the coatingis, are pro*
portioual to the quantity of matter thrown upon the other»^
The quantity of matter may therefore be easily estimated by
the number of these ejcplosions,
14. Haring determined these laws, relating to the quantity
of matter accumulated, we come now to the consideration of
the free action^ or intensity, it erinc^, under various cireum*
stances. -^^ - *%» ^t«
When a given accumulation is disposed on a simple insu*
la ted conductor, it endeavours to fly off and discharge itself
upon any body which happens to be within the sphere of its
action : bnt if the surface of the insulated conductor on which
tile matter is accumulated be increased, then the tendency to
discharge is lessened. To express this tendency of the accu-
mulation to pass off in any given direction, the term intensity
has been employed^ Intensity therefore is but another term
for what may he called free action.
But experience has shewn, that it is possible to contronl the
free action of a given quantity of electricity, not only by dis-
posing it on a more extended surface, but also by opposing to
the insulated conductor, a second conductor of equal aud simi-
lar extent ; the latter being in a freely unfasulated slate,
placed parallel and near to the former (fig* If),) and the two
conducting surfaces separated by some perfectly insulatiDg
medium* By this peculiar arrangement, the accumulation
appe^irs to be so determined upon the uninsulated surface^ that
the tendency to discharge in any other direction is diminlsbed :
the free action will therefore be more or less controlled, in
some ratio of the distances of the opposed conductors*
H
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i
58 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
There is howeyer this difference in the actual condition of the
two arrangements — ^when the matter is disposed and retained
on a continuous surfacci the whole of that surface is supposed
to be in the same electrical state; whereas, in the latter in^
stancci half the surfece oidy is in a similar state; the opposed
uninsulated portion being in an opposite one; this seems to be
a necessary consequence of the subsequent action ; and without
such effect can ensue, the attractive force between the opposed
conductors is not found to be so exclusive :-—hence^ it would
seem, that, by means of the increased capacity of the uninsulated
conductor, a given accumulation can be retained in this way,
even with greater faciliQr than on an extended and continuous
surface.
It will be immediately pat^eived, that the Leyden jar is
merely an arrangement of the above description; since one of
its coatings is perfectly insulated, and placed near and paral-
lel to the other; the latter being in a freely uninsulated state,
and the two coatings separated by an insulating and resisting
medium.
15, Ktherefore two conductors (a)(5}(fig8»5 6 7) be sepa-
rated by a g^ven interval, and be connected with the insulated
and uninsulated coatings, as in figs. 7, 14, 15, then the free
action may be estimated by means of these conductors ; 1 — ^by
measuring the interval between them, which it can break
through. 2 — ^by measuring its attractive force or tendency
to discharge, both of which will increase in some direct ratio
of the quantity of matter, and in some inverse ratio of the
controlling power of the uninsulated coating ; all other tlungs
remaining the same.
16. The farmer of these m^ods will be first considered :
and for which purpose we shall refer to the exploding electro-
meters above described, (5) and represented figs, 6 and 7.
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ELBCTRICAC ACCtJMULATlOm; 09
' Exp* 10; Two similarjai^ each containing fire Bqiiare feet
of surface, being connected with the discharging electrome^
ter, (fig. 5) and wilh the positiye condnctor as represented
m fig. 14 and the interral between the balls adjusted to*
one-tenth of an inch, the discharge took place at dte end*
of two turns and half of the plate» The interral between the*
balls being now doubled, and the small residuum in the janr
neutralised, the disdiarge passed wlmi five turns w^e com-
pleted. The interval being increased to tfaree*lenths of an
inch, or treble the first distance, and the residuum discharged
as before; the explosion passed at the end of seren turns and
half of the plate. On increasing tfie interval to four-tenthi of'
an inch, the discharge took place at the end often turns.
Exp« II. One of the jai^ in the fotmer experiment being
removed^ and die interval between the balb acQusted to four-
tenths of an inch, the discharge took place with five turns of
the plate. The quantity of coated surface being now doubled'
by adding a second and similar jar, and die interval between
the balls dnninished to two-tenths of an inch, the discharge
again took place at the end of five turns. The quantity of
coated surface being again doubled by adding two more equal
and similar jars, and the interval between the balls reduced
toone4with of an inch^ or to aquarter part of the first distance,
the discharge agam occurred at the ead of five turns of the
plate.
Exp. 12. A smgle jar being connected as before^ and
the interval between the balls a^fusted to two-tenths of an
inch, the discharge occurred at the end of two turns and half.
A second similar jar being added, the discharge occurred with
five turns of the plate. A third similar jar being added, seven
turns and half were required to complete the discharge: the
interval between the balls remaining in each case the same.
Exp. 13. Two similar jars being connected with the
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^ MS. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
qondvetor, mid the interval between the balk ac^usted to two-
tenths of an inch, the discharge took place with five turns of
the place. One of the jars, that is half the sor&ce, being
remoYod, and the intoral between the balls qoadrupled, the
discbarge occurred with ten turns of die plate, or double the
former.
These results as far as I could ascertain, did not appear
to be influ^iced by the way in which the surface was disposed;
thus whether the exte^nt of surfiu^ was made up with separate
jars, or otherwise oonsiited of one large jar, stiU the same
results were obtained, provided the areas of the coatings were
accurately Bi^yasted^ and that the thickness of the glass did nf>t
vary.*
17. We may therefore ccmdude, that the free action of an
electrical accumulation, as estimated by the interval it can
bre^ Arough, is directly proportional to the quantity of
matter ; (exp. 10) and inversely proportional to the surface,
(exp. 1 1.) If therefore we increase the matter and the surface
hi the same ratio, the interval remains the same ; (exp. 12)—
and if we represent the quantity of matter by q, the interval by
1, and the surface by s, we obtain by exps. 10 and 11, the fol-
Q
lowing expression i CL — from which we get q OC s i; and
s
thus derive another means of estimating the relative quantity
of matter thrown upon a given surface, supposing the surface
to be either in a divided or undivided state, and all other things
remaming the same. Hence, if the sur&ce be constant, the
quantity accumulated is as the interval ; and if the interval
be constant, it is as the sur&ce; and if as q be increased, s be
decreased, thra we have i OC Q^
* Itwillbeneeeisarytokeepininincly that this relBtet odI j to th*
free aetian, and it not to be afldmllsled with the eflbots of the ezplotlon on
netalt under sinUar eonditioiie. (24.)
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 61
I repeated the above experunentfl^ by iosalating the
jars and electrometer on ^the principle represented in figs. 13
and 16» so as to measure the quantity of matter by means of
the explosions of a jar^ chargii^ from tbe outer coatings ;
(exp, 9^) and it is not difficult to obtain in this arrangement,
such a distance between the balls of the exploding jar, fb fig.
13) as will accurately measure the accumulation corresponding
to a given explosion of the jar (a) in whidbi the accumulation
has taken place: and thus by varying the distance between
the balls of the electrometer connected with the jar a, whilst
the electrometer attached to the jar i, is preserved the same ;
we may inv^sMgate the free action as before.
18. We now con^e to Icondder the second method of in-
vestigating the law of free action^ as r^^ardi the attractive
force or tendency to discharge*
In the application of the instrument described (6) (fig. 6) to
this purpose, it is desirable, when the distances between the
conductors {a) (h) require to be varied, that the opposed
surfaces should be plane and parallel, (fig. 20) so that the
distance between the attracting points may be every where
equal; or otherwise, in employing equal spheres, it will be
essential to deteirmine, in each opposed hemisphere, a fixed
point, as a and ft, figs. 24 25, from which the sum of all the
attractions would produce the same effect as if those attractions
were exerted from every point of the hemispheres : so that
when the distance between the balls is varied, the interval
may be reckoned between these points, and not from the ink-
mediate point of contact.* This point will be found to &11
* We Bappote bare the forces to set in psrallel linei, which tppean to be
an essential condition of this species of attraction ; since the opposed snr/koes
being in equally opposite states of electricity, the reciprocal influence of the
nearest points most be such as to neutralize each others' action, in relation to any
other point more distant : the attraotlTe forces therefore between these points
becomes exdoblTe, tnd cooseqnently, the lines of attraction are parallel, fig. 84,
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63 MR. HARRIS ON THE UIH^S OF
within the oppoied hanispheret at adistance equal to one-fiftfr
of theradius,*
19. It may be olMienreJ, that in the application of an explodmgf
electrometer, (fig, 6) this process is not requisite : since the
explosion always passes from the nearest points, and no others
the attractire forces from the other parts^ of the balls do not
consequently interfere with the accuracy of die result ; more
especially as the balfti are fixed at a g^ven interval, and cannot
therefore approximate; diis is essentially distinct from die
case in which we seek to measure the attractive force, by
opposing to it a known weight, the spheres being moveable,
since in the last case, we cannot separate the attraction of one
point from the whole, and mnst therefore take the whole ihto>
the account.
* Let M and N (fig. iS) be two hemisphereB, wbose diameterB are
two inohss, and attracting each other at the distanoes A B A^ B^ Let
aAz:B& = a, A, =rB, &, = jr letAB=:,5oraQ inch, and
A^ B, = 1. 4 ; at which distanoes the req>eotive attraoiive foroes were
found, by eiperiment,. to be as 16 : 4 or 4:1.
Then4:l ^l (a^ hf i (a bj^ ::(l,4 + 2«)» J (,5 + e*)«
.*.4 X (.^ + 2x )=:(I.4+ 2x)>firomwhiobwe obtain
x« + Jj*=,08
By solving this equation we shall have xz: + • S— >.. 1, and con-
sequently « = + • 2 of an inch, or a distance equal to otte>fifth of the
radios; the other value of x being negfUive, and therefore in this case an
impossibie qoantity. This expression wiD befoond to be true for any two
eqnaf spheres $ thus, in spheres of three inches diameter, the attraotTve
foroes were found, by experiment^ to be as 4 1 1, when the respective
distances AB A, B^were0.5andt.6. In ^heres of I inch diameter,
theywerea84tl whenAB A,B,were0.5andl.2. Bysabstitnling
fteseqoantities, in the above eqoation we Aaflhave as before, xeqoal to
one-fifth of the radius of the respective spheres. It may be flirther re-
marked, that the same results as in experiment 14 were obtained, when
the opposed conductors were equal spheres, and the intervals estimated
from within each hemiqphere, at a distance equal to one-fifth of tberadiok
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EUECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 63
Exp. 14 A single jar, oontaining five square feet, being
connected with the instrument already described ; (6) and the
connection with the negative coating completed, as represented
in fig. 15, the insulated conductor b was d^ressed from contact
with the suspended omductor (a) throng an interval of half
an inch, and a weight of sixteoi grains placed in the small pan
suspended firom the opposite arm of the balance.* When five
turns of the pkte were completed, the attractive force was
sufficie&fttotipthebeam. The accumulation being discharged,
the insulated conductor (b) was depressed through asecond in-
terval of half an inch, making the whole distance one inch. A
weight of four g^rains or ^ part of the former weight being now
placed in the pan, the beam was again depressed with five turns
of the plate: so that the distances being as 2 to 1, the corres-
pondiiig wei^ts were as 4 : 1* The accumulation being dis-
charged, and the insulated conductor (b) depressed through
a third interval of half an inch, and one-ninth part of the first
weight placed in the pan ; the beam was again depressed with
five revolutions of the plate. We may therefore infer, that the
attractwe force b^ween the conductors varied in an inverse
ratio (ifthe square qf the Stance of the points of contact,
Exp. 15. The distance between the conductors being ai^usted
to an interval of an inch, and a weight of four grains placed
in the pan; the beam was again depressed with^e revolu-
tions of the plate. The quantity of matter being now doubled,
that is to say, ten turns of the plate being allowed to accumu-
late, sixteen grains w^c requisite to balance the attractive
force: the attractive fiurce therefore, all other things remaining
the same, increases directly as the square of the quantity of
matter accmnulated. This became further evident by placing
a weight of thirty-six grains in the pan: in which case the beam
was depressed with about fifteen turns of the plate.
* Tlie pofltioa of Ae tvspsDded eondtoelor («) li cvefldlj tctt^
the thrae leielUsg fcrewi Attached to the bate of the Instmaieiit) lo that it nuij
hang Tertically and pei«M over the lomlated conductor (b).
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^ MR. HARRI8 ON THE LAWS OF
20. This result is a necessary coBseqaeiice of the law which
seems to govern all these forces ; for let two balls be connectied
with the opposed surfaces, and be separated by any g^ren
interval, and let the accumulation proceed until the free action
can pass this interval: cdll the quantity at the time of the
explosion 1, and the attractive force at the same instant also 1^
and let the number of revolutions of the plate necessary to
produce the accumulation be expressed by n. If we sup«
pose the interval to be doubled, then the attractive force, all
other things remaining the same, will be reduced to ^, since
the force varies in an inverse ratio of the square of the distance
between the exploding points (exp. 14)— the discharge there-
fore, with the same quantity of matter, cannot occur at this new
interval; but we have seen (by exp* 10) that with 2 n turns of
the machine, that is with double the matter, the explosion will
again pass at a double interval. If therefore, when thd interval
between the balls is doubled, we double the matter, the dis-
charge will again take place ; but in this case, the attractive
force must necessarily be as great at the greater interval, as it
was at the lesser interval, without which the explosion could
not happen, that is to say, it must have increased from ^ to 1 ;
or if measured at the first interval, it must be equal to 4 ; in
either case, with double the quantity of matter, it must be four
times as great, all other things remailiing the same.
Exp. 16. A weight of 16 grains being placed in the pan,
add the interval between the balls again adjusted to an inch,
the beam was again depressed with 10 revolutions of the plate :
a second equal aad similar' jar being added, that is to say the
surface being doubled, ten revolutions of the plate were still
requisite to depress the beam, when only four grains were
placed in the pan : thus it may be perceived, that the same
matter, dii^posed on a double surface only, evinces ^ part of
the free aictioii : the distance between the balls being constant.
I repeated these experiments, the apparatus being insulated,
and the quantity of matter measured by the explosions of a
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 21
«mall jar, charging from the outer coating, as already ex-
plained, (exps. 8, 9,) and obtained the same results; the
interval between the balls of the exploding jar, beii^ made
very small.
21. We may therefore conclude, 1— that the attractive
force varies in an inverse ratio of the square of the distance;
all other things remaining the same. 2 — if the surface be
constant, and the matter increased, the attractive force is
directly as the square of the quantity of matter. 3 — ^if the
matter be constant, and the surface increased, the attractive
force is in an inverse ratio of the square of the surface. 4 — if
both the surface and the matter be increased in the same propor-
tion, the attractive force is constant ; and if we represent the
attractive force by a, the quantity of matter by Q, and the
surface by s, we have (exps. 15, 16) the following expression:
A X gj- from which we deduce q X V as* or <) x s va and
thus derive other expressions for estimating the relative quan-
tity of matter; hence if the attractive force be constant, the
quantity ofmatter is as the surface; and if the surface be con-
stant, it is as the square root of the attraction ; and if, as q be
increase, s be decreased, then we have a X Q^
The want of a correct knowledge of these laws, has I
apprehend, occasioned much uncertainty, in the results of
many electrical inquiries. Thus in employing the well known
and ingenious balance, or steel-yard electrometer, of Mr.
Cuthbertson, in which the force of the free action is opposed
by a known weight ; it has been assumed,* that when the
slider has been set to 15 and 30, so as to measure separate
charges, the surface being constant, that the corresponding
• Cuthbertsim'a Practical Eleclridty, p. 175, 1T8, 170, 180.
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22 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
accumulations, are in the same ratio, that is to say, as 2:1;
whereas, in order to obtain a double accumulation, the slider
should be set to sixty grains, instead of thirty ; since the
opposing forces should be to each other as 4 : 1.
22. Having determined the relations which subsist between
the quantity of matter, and the free action of a charged sur-
fkce, and shewn how these last may be measured ; we come now
to investigate the effects of the explosion : the quantities we
have been considering being varied, according to certain
conditions.
Exp. 17. (fig. lOJ A single jar, containing two square
feet and half of coated surface, being connected with the
conductors, and widi the electrometers before mentioned, (6)
(7) and the distance between the balls ac^usted to eight-tenths
of an inch, the explosion took place with five revolutions of
the plate, and elevated the fluid eighteen degrees.
Exp. 18. A jar, contdm'ng five square feet, or double
the former surface, being substituted for the jar in the last
experiment, and the distance between the balls adjusted to
four-tenths of an inch, the explosion again passed with five
revolutions of the plate, and again elevated the fluid eighteen
degrees.
Exp. 19. A second equal and similar jar, being connec-
ted so as to double the last surface, and the distance between
the balls diminished to two-tenths of an inch, the discharge
again passed with five revolutions of the plate, but only
elevated the fluid to twelve degrees, or about two-thirds of
the former.
Exp. 20. The two larger jars being removed, and two
jars containing each two square feet and half substituted, that
is to say, half the former surface, divided into two equal and
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 33
similar parts, and the interval between the balls again increased
to four-tenths of an inch, the explosion again passed with five
revolutions of the plate, and again elevated the fluid twelve
degrees.
Exp. 21. A series of six jars being selected, differing
in thickness, and the areas of whose coatings varied from one
to five square feet; each jar was connected in succession with
the conductor and electrometers, and two turns of the plate
thrown on it : the discharge being effected by means of the
discharging electrometer; (Jig. 4) the fluid was in each case
elevated to eighteen degrees. *
^ I repeated these experiments, by insulating the apparatus ;
the quantity of matter being measured by the explosions of
ajar, charged from the outer coating, (as in^^. 16;) and the
discharge effected as in the last experiment, and obtained the
same results. We may therefore conclude, 1 — that the effect of
the explosion depends exclusively on the quantity of matter,
without reference to the free action; (exps. 17, 18, 21.) and,
2 — that in disposing the same quantity of matter, on the same
sur&ce, divided into two equal and similar parts, about one
third of its effect is lost. (exps. 19, 20.)
23. Exp. 22. A single jar containing five square feet, being
connected as before, (Jig* 10) and the distance between the balls
adjusted to two-tenths of an inch, the explosion passed with
two revolutions and half of the plate, and raised the fluid
four d^^rees and half of the scale. The small residuum being
discharged, and the distance between the balls adjusted to
four-tenths of an inch,, the explosion passed at five revolutions
of the plate, and raised the fluid eighteen degrees. The dis-
* In thit last ezperinMpit, it was naoessaiy to employ a moch finer wire,
than in the preceding cases, in order to render the effect more apparent ; the
qoantity of matter being small.
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24 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
tance between the balls being now a(]yu6ted to six-tenths of
an inch, and the residuum neutralized as before, the discharge
passed between the seventh and eighth revolution of the plate,
and raised the fluid to about forty degrees.
The same results were obtained, by insulating the appara^
tus, and measuring the quantity of matter, by means of the
explosions of a jar, connected with the outer coating. It may
tJierefore beinferredj that the effects of an electrical explosion
on a metalHc wire^ all other things remaining the same; is
JSrecthf as the square of the quantity of matter.
This law did not appear to be influenced by disposing the
accumulation on a divided surface ; for although the magni-
tude of the corresponding effects was reduced, as in exp. 19,
yet the surface being constant, the subsequent results were
directly as the square of the quantity of matter.
24. Having thus found, (23) that the effect of the explosion
on a metallic wire, is directly as the square of the quantity
of matter: all other things remaing the same — and (exp. 19)
that in disposing the same quantity of matter, on the same
extent of coated surface, divided into two equal and simi-
lar parts, about one-third of its power is lost; it seems a
point of some interest, to pursue this investigation a little
further, in order to ascertain what subsequent decrements in
the effect take place, by a still greater division of the surfiEU^e ;
the quantity of matter remaining constant.
With this view, six jars were selected, each containing
about a square foot, and four-tenths of coated surface: they
did not materially differ in their electrical capacities; and
since the investigation related exclusively to the quantity of
matter and the surface, the excitation of the machine, was
tested by an exploding jar, and the quantity of matter measu-
red, both by means of the revolutions of the plate, and the
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS, gj
explosioDS of a jar charged frara the outer coatiiigH; the di^
charge being effected by me^ms of the di^hargiiig electrometer
fig, 4. The general arrangement ie represented in fitj^ 16.
Expi 22; A eiugle jar being connected with the conductor,
and charged with two revolutions of the plate, the eft^ect on
the wire wafs observed and aoted. A second jar was now
examined in a similar way; the r^pective effecLi did not
greatly vary, but the nii^m result amounted to just sixteen
degrees. The two jars being now combinedi and the same
quantity of matter dispo^d on them» the resulting eftect was
only eleven degrees, the loss being about one third. This*
procem wiLS repeated, with the same quantity of matter dis-i
posed on three jars; the mean result of the three, taking each
separately, being first determined, and then the result of their
combination^ — in this case^ the loss amounte<] to somewhat less
than one half — a similar process with four jars, gave a losg
rather greater than one half — ^witli five jars, it amounted
to nearly twoahirds, and with six jars to about four-fifths.
The results are given in the following table,
TABLE L
RBTOLDTIONS
ItimBEB
OP
OF
BrV£CT.
TB* PL4TI.
JABS,
%
1
16
%
2
11
%
3
9
s
4
7
%
5
5
2
6
3
It might therefore be supposed^ that by increasing the
number of jars^ the effect would at length be reduced to
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26
MR. HARRIS OS THB LAWS OF
zero, and such was found to be the case; for on disposing the
same matter on a great number of jars, the effect on the wire
became insoisible.
25. As a further extension of the preceding investigation,
the quantity of matter was made to increase as the number of
jars, and to obviate any error which might be supposed to
arise from slight differences in the jars, each jar was first
examined separately, and a mean result obtained; they
were then combined in pairs, the matter being doubled, then
each three jars were combined ; the matter being tripled, and
so on to the last combination, in which the whole six were
combined ; the matter being six times as great as in the first
instance. The mean results of each respective series of com-»
binations are given in the following table. *
TABLE II.
BKTOLDTIOMl
MDMBKR
or
OF
MtWECr.
TBB PLATR.
MBS.
2
1
11
4
ft
26
6
8
60
8
4
73
10
5
85
It is easy to reduce the above results, to the same form as
in the preceding table, so as to obtain the relative effects of
the same quantity of matter disposed on a given number of
* In these ezpehmeots, it became necessary to employ a larger wire in
the electrometer, than in the preceding, in order to resist ftislon; the
quantity of matter being greatly increased.
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS.
27
jars; since the effect (23) is directly as the square of the
quantity of matter. Thus to havfe the effect of the matter
disposed on two jars, as compared with the same quantity
disposed on one, we divide the effect on two jars by four :
to obtain the effect on three jars as compared with the same
quantity on one, we divided the effect with three jars by
nine, and so on. The results thus reduced are given in the
following table ; and it will be observed, that they do not
considerably differ in their relation to each other, from those
before obtained, (exp. 22*) Table I.
TABLE in.
UTOLOTIOMS
MDHBBR
OF
THB PLATB,
JAB«.
BFFBCTS.
2
1
11,0
2
2
6, 5
2
3
5, S
2
4
4, 5
2
5
3, 4
26. In referring to table II, it may be observed,
that when the quantity of matter and the number of jars are
both increased together, the full effect of the respective accu-
mulations is not obtained ; jsince double the matter disposed
on two jars, only equals about two and half times the first
effect, instead of four times, which it should do if disposed on
one. (23) By disposing three times the quantity of matter
on three jars, we only obtain about four and half times the
first effect, instead of 9 times, and so on, untill at last in
increasing the number of jars, the differences in the respective
effects become less and less, so that a limit appears to obtain,
in which the advantage derived from an increased quantity of
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28 MB« HARRIB ON THE LAWS Of
matter, becomes neutralized by the opposite effect of the
increased number of jars*
These results are very analogous to those arrived at in the
extensive investigations of Mr. Children with his large voltaic
battery, in which an intense deflagrating power was obtained
by accumulating the electric action on as great an extent of
undivided surface as possible;* and also with those of Sir
H. Davy,t in which the relative powers of ignition with an-
extensive voltaic series appeared to decrease after a certain
limit, beyond which there is a loss of power; which is preci-
sely what happens when the number of jars and the quantity
of matter are both increased together, and in the same pro-
portion.
27. It may be proper to observe, that the above results
are somewhat at variance with the conclusions arrived at, in
Mr. Singer's excellent work on electricity ; he infers, p. 179
that the same quantity of matter, will fuse the same length
of wire, whether it be disposed on two jars, or on one : but
it may be shewn, that in the immediate experiment from which
this conclusion has been drawn, the quantity of matter greatly
varied. In the experiment alluded to, eight inches of wire
had been previously fused, by a single jar, charged to thirty
grains; it was likewise fused by two jars, charg^ to fifteen
grains, $ and it is inferred, that the quantity of matt^rwas in
each case the same; whereas, in the latter instance, it must
have been greatly increased, for it will be remembered, (15)
(20) that by the expression charging a single jar, or other-
wise, two jars to any d^ree, say fifteen or thirty grains, we
thereby mean, that certain relative measures of the free action
of the accumulation have been obtained, as indicated by its
attractive force; the surface on which the matter is disposed
* ElemenU of Chemical Philosophy, p. 159. t lb. p. IM.
t Exp. 77, pag« 177.
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ELBCTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS, 73
being given. Now it has been shewn, (exp. 16) that suppo-
sing the same quantity of matter to be disposed on a double
surface, the intensity or free action, as indicated by its attrac-
tive force, would be reduced to one quarter; consequently,
the intensity corresponding to the previous quantity of mat-
ter on the single jar, would when both jars were employed,
only amount to seven grains and half; that is to say, to the
^ one quarter part of thirty grains ; the previous intensity on
the single jar, supposing the jars to be precisely equal and
similar. But in the experiment above-mentioned, the intensity
on the double surface, was double this amount, or fifteen
grains; therefore the matter accumulated, by a very simple
calculation, must have been greater than in the previous case
with the single jar by nearly one half; for the surface bdng
constant, the quantity is directly as the square root of the
attractive force. (21)
It is easy from the preceding investigations, to observe
the relations which subsist between the interval which the firee
action can break through, the attractive force it exerts, and
and the resulting effect of the explosion* For since i OC Q 0^)
and A QC Q* (^1) and E X Q* (S8) the effect being represented
by E ; therefore the effect and the attractive force must vary
together, and each must vary as the square of the interval— all
other things remaining the same.
28. It has been my endeavour hitherto, in the course of
these inquiries, to confine my observations as much as possible
to matters of plain experimental evidence, in order that they
might not be embarrassed by theoretical speculations, which
would be a source of serious objection* I have therefore,
avoided entering upon any explanation of the curious phaeno-
mena, that the interval which the free action of an electrical
accumulation can pass, is directly as the quantity of matter
accumulated ; (exp. 10) whilst the attractive force is as the
square of the quantity, (exp. 15.) I have only endeavoured
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^'^f^tmmmmmtemm^mmmm^^umm^/KBsmsss;
74 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
to shew, 0iO) * HoBt these phaenom^iaare perfectly consistent
with each other, and involye no sort of contradiction. A few
additicmal obserrations conoemingp these laws of electrical
aotioi^ more especially as relating to-the attractive force of the
accumulation, may not however, be now altogether out of
^lace, keeping in view an established principle in experimen-
tal science^ that we are said to explain any pheenomenon when
we diew it to be necessarily included in some o(ker pheenome-
iton, ot fact idrestdy known*
29. It is reasonable to ii^er, that in every case of duplicate
proportion, tw6 e^ual and concurrmg causes are present; for
as observed by the' lefOiied Dr. Clarke, to suppose any effect
Whatever, to foe as the -squtf e, or the cube of its cause, is to
suppose that such effect arises partly fromits cause, and partly
from nothing. Thus in the case of the free action of an electri-
cal accumulation, as estimated by means of its attractive force
rop^rtting between two cpnductors. (a)'(b) Jig. 16. there
" are, a9 alreiuly observed (16) two separate causes to be consi-
dered; the quantity of matter accumulated, and the controll-
ing power of thetmifiKulated costing: and it has been observed
(14) that the free action will be in a direct proportion to the
quantity of mlitter, and in an inverse proportion to the con-
trolling power. If, therefore, as the quantity of matter is in-
creased the controlling power of the uninsulated coating should
from any cause be diminished, and in an inverse ratio, then
the free acticm must necessarily be in a duplicate proportion;
aiid such a conclusion is by no means unwarranted by known
fattt.
We have already had occasion to remark, (14) that when
an insiUated and Uninsulated conductor are directly opposed to
^adi other, and, are separated by a non^-conducting interval,
Ae capability of the form^ toTetainra*given accomnlation is,
• See page 64.
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ELECTRICAL A<M:^MULAlnO(N8. 75
all Other things i^emamiiig the ttne^ iSoBnldevaUf liMvteed ;
for the accumulation bein^ iletenxi^ed'by dte'ptVMBfaiiitfof
the two conductors^ immediately upon the nuinmildted' <Mie^
a portion of the liatural electricity olTthe kitt^ be^oMM dte^
placed, and thus it approprmtes to itself, a' g^r^ttt pst of Ae*
resulting action* In the operation of Ae Lefdenjer^(how\e^er/
the natural electricity of the insulated eoathig, Mt having'
the same unlimited room to recede, in cimseqilenceof the inter-
vening glass, the effect of the inductive influence in e^ifcrMlin^
the free action is not proportionate to the qudntitf adtonvftliert^.
Hence, the respective quantities set free, as erismg from' this
cause alone, must continue to increase in a^tfimple ¥atio df th^'
accumulation.* .. . i * .> • >
But m order to estimate the whbte amotml tg the free
action, we have also to take into the account, the sinmltaneoiia
influence of the matter^ thus set free, on the outside^ of Ae jar,
by which the controlling power is at length destroy^, and the
whole accumulation caused to pass in the form of an explosion ;
by increasing the quantity accumulated, we have^ thovfinre,
not only an increased quantity set free; but also an increased'
neutralizing influence, which operating upon> Ae n^ativs
coating, either immediately through the balls of the ekctroi*
meter, or otiierwise through the surrounding medium^ as iii the
case of a spontaneous explosion over the uncoated mterval ;
the exclusive action between the coatings in the direction ci
the intervening glass, will be necessarily diminished, tiiat is to
say, the controlling influence in die latter direetite, taUI- be
more or less neuiraKzed by a simlar and cppomHe Jbrce.
« Itt8qidteIiiiiiiateriallnthlsfeye9tfgallMi,w1ie|]MrveMDdder
decftrltalademiudittoii; to eomBHiice lint from te DegMfcrf^ottSagi whichnty
be iiip^ofedto;happ6n k dMrging m jtr, by Uie tnu»lbr of its oim electiicUr,
(0ip« 1.) or otherwise from the podtiTocottipgy as mty be supposed to occur in
charging an uninsulated jar, (ezp. 9.) In either case, the qnantities set free will
be precisely the same ; shice, in the one instance, the quantity displaced may
be snpposed to precede the quantity accumulated, in the other, to eueeeed it.
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76 MB. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
It k further to be obsenredygiiioe the teiideiicy toastate of
equal distribiitim, in the directum of the balls of the electro-
meter may be sappoeed to increaae^ not only with the quantity
accmnnlatedy but also with the displacement from the opposite
Goatii^ : we may likewise estimate the quantity set free, under
these conditiiMis, and consider merely the power of controlling
the free action, as depending on these two causes taken together.
In which case, this power will continually decrease, in an inyerse
ratb of the square of the quantity accumulated, (exp« 4), until
it yanidies at the instant of the explosion; whilst tlie indicated
attractiYe force will consequently tncrease in a direct ratio of
the square of the same quantity, and the effect is still propor-
tkioate to its cause} that is to say, to the quanti^ set free.
This duplicate (Nroportion will not, howeyer, become iq>parw
ent in the interval which the accumulation can pass ; since by
increasing the interrals b^ween the exploding points, we
diminish the attractive force $ the quantity of matter being
constant, in the inverse ratio of the squares of the respective
distances, as already explained, (20.) The attractive force
therefore of the free actimi, considered as a constant quantity,
is at a douUte interval, reduced to one-fourth, and the explo-
sion cannot pass at a double interval, until an equivalent at-
traction is obtained, diat is to say, until four times the quantity
is set free, which will be when double the quantity is aocumu^
lated*
80. In dttsposii^ the same quantity of matter on double the
snrfiice, we have also a duplicate proportion indicated by the
decrease of the free action ; as observed (exp. I(^ ; in this
kistance, we may also trace die joint effects of these two
concurring causes. It will be readily perceived, that to
dispose the same quantity of matter <m a double surface^ is
the same thing as r^^ards tfie attractive force of the free
action, as diiE^osing half the quantity on the same sur&ce; for
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BLBCTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 77
let the double sorfoce be soppoeed to be divided into two parts,
each equal and similar to the single surface, then the quantity
will be divided in the same proportioui one half remaining with
one part, and the other half with the other. We have only
Aerefore, to determine the resulting attractive effect, for one of
these portions, and we obtain the indicated attraction of both,
(21) since die attractive force of Ae firee action is the same with
one jar, as with any given number, when the quantity of mat-
ter is made to vary with the number of jars. (exp. 11.) Now
by disposing half the quantity on the same surface, that is by
diminishing the quantity one half, we at the same time double
the controlling power of the uninsulated coating, since the
latter is increased as the difference from a state of equal dis-
tribution is decreased : and hence, by the jcnnt action of
these concurring causes, we have only one-fourth part the
attractive force.
This duplicate proportion, will not however become appa^
rent in the interval which the explosion can pass; (exp. 11)
for as already observed, (20)* the attractive force being in an
inverse ratio of the square of the distance, the explosion can
with the same quantity of matter still pass at one half the
interval; since by diminishing the distance between the balls
one half, we quadruple the attractive force ; the quantity of
matter being constant.
The converse of this reasoning will be readily admitted, in
its application to the duplicate proportion observable in accu^
mulating the same quantity of matter, on half the extent of
coated glass, the one beii^ the reciprocal of the other, and is
included in the general expression a OC g- (21); taking care
to remember, that by s, we denote the extent of coated glass,
considered as a simple quantity without reference to its two
sur&ces.
* See page 64.
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78 MR. HABRIfir ON THE LAWB OF
31^ TlieTaid€kUAiiMlnuiieiitBy employed aamwrnne^ of these
dificireiit 'Stated of the free actioD) which we, have b^n ju4
consMwingv have ibera.sppposed merely to indicate the d^via^
tbn of the aocumulated electricity, from a,. state, of Batucal
di0tvibul&>D^ and to havenordatiQn to the quantity accumii«.
latedi* batisiicba coikditttan must be<taken witkconaidi^rabl^.
limitatioiu II ds'trae^-that Aa^mach free actioamay be. eyiqced
by ajar coniaining.oiilyjar square foot, aa.bya Jar, containing,
tensqaare^fee^or'byiabattery.containiiig.one.luuidjred*. Bui
when we take into the aeoount the laws aboye mentioned^ (21)
we* immediatdyi perceire ihat thero^ i9 an imjp^ taut jconnectioii.
eaaatimg between the indiealed AttractiTeforcei the qi^anti^^of
matter set freey and the relative qmntityvaccamulated., Tkw
if^ gpvettqiMMtity of mattmr^beaodunuktedon, a square foot
of coaled glaasy.and ittindicateaft attraetive forc^ which we
will call 1, then supposing the same quantity to. he di^qpieaed on
ten square feet, its free action will be reduced to one hundredth^
(21) that is to say, there will be only the one-hundredth ipart
of one-tenth of the whole set free from each jar, £ince the mat«
ter is disposed on ten janu (30) If therefore, the free action
should become the same as before^ then one. hundred times the
above quantity will be set free from each jar ; and ten times
the original quantity of matter will be accumulated ctn tb^
whole*
32. The duplicate proportion observable in the general law
of dectrical attraction, aheady noticed, ^) will be found to
involve a similar oeneurrence of tjwo equal causes; since it
may be diewn by a very easy experimental, analy^,, that- the
whole attractive force depends, first, on the force induiced in
the attracted body, and secondly, on the distance at which the
force so induced is caused to act. If therefore, whilst we
dimmish die distance one half, it should h^ found, that the foiice
induced in the attracted body is doubled, then we have neoei^
8inger*s Electricity, p. 180.
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isttrOy four times the attraction. If the distance be diminished
to one-Aitd/ahd' the force induced in the attracted body be
' tripled/ dien- ire hare nine times the attraction, and s^on.
There are a few very simple experiments to be adduced in
support'of ^lis View'of electrical action.
<* Bxp^ 34. A'targe jar, containing^ about fivesquare feet,
was connected with the insulated cobductor of theelecttlam^
' 'eter,^ jyi^. 6^ abd widi the cohductor of the madime, as in
< Jig\ 15; Are whole beings histdaied^and die quantity of matter
measured by the ^cplosions^of a small jar,' dtargmg* fr«if the
outer coating, on the principle already exptaaied, (13)«tad
represented in^«. 13 and 16» A third conductor, {p^fig* 20)
' with Ihttened^floirfiices/ wafei nowiCai«faltyinsidated,4md in*
* terposed between die insulaled'tibd suspelided 4M>nduct«rs;
' ^n) fhj ibderthese cdnditions^ ib» w«^^ vequisile «6 bal-
* taite the attractive forces measmreis the force-induced in ^dib
' intemiediate conductor, fc) aC difbrent distances from the
insulated conductor, (A) die distance (a^c)betweeu the sus-
"p(^ed and interposed ednductonv^remainiiig'm'each case
'the tttmeJ Now the indu^edforc^ was found mtriU^eertam
' Bimi$ to vary m b sfahple invwse n^ of tli6 dislaiio^ (e^b)
' between' the insulated' iknd 'interposed conductor.* Thi» the
" hiisdlaled conductor* (h) bein^ depresseil from contact With the
"*hll^dfted'cbnductor^fe>thBrough mmtervalof two-4entlirof
' an inch^ and an acomhufaition caused to take place^ expressed
^ Vy twenty^explosions of theattdljaf; the weight-requisite to
'balaDlo^ die attractive -force, amotmted to dght grains ;> the <
* ' distance from die suspended cAnduetorbeing about two-tendis
^^ of axk hkcVi the interval (c &)>beii^iioW dbulded, by depross-
'^ in^ the icrwer iiinilated cdnductor^ fb) another two^^enths^ die
' attractive ibrce amounted to four ^gfainsi the intervd (ob)
t)eiiig increaised to six-tenth^ theattractiveforee amounted to
'*'ab6tit two grains and lialfr the induced attractiou therefore,
' vari^ In an inverse simpleratio df the distance, (e h) alF other
* thlngisr mnainin^ the same. ' By a further extension of diis
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80 MB. HARRI8 ON THE LAWS OF
experiment, it became also apparent, that the induced force
so long as the inductive action could proceed with facility, was
directly as the force of the free action; for by increasing the
quantity of matter accumulated by about half as much again,
so as to double the free action, according to the laws already
determined. (20) The induced attractive force at a certain
distance was also doubled; the free action being quadrupled
by doubling the accumidation, the induced force was also
quadrupled. (21) This law however, as the disturbance in
the interposed conductor became considerable, b^^ to vary ;
the state of unequal distribution not being equally susceptible
of further change.
Exp. 25. The interposed ccmductor (c) being removed,
and the attractive force at a given distance (b d^fig. 15) being
determined, a second accumulation was caused to take place,
so as to give at the same distance* a force double the former.
This double force, bdng caused to operate on the suspended
oondHctOT at a double interval, the respective attractive forces
were found to be reciprocally proportional to the distances
between the insulated and suspended conductors, (a) (6) Now
in these instances, the induced force in the suspended body (b)
must have been the same, since a double inductive f<Nree 2 a
fig. 21, acting at a given distance, will be equivalent to a
single inductive f<Nrce, (a) acting at one half that distance— the
inductive effect being as just shewn, (exp. 24) inversely as the
distances. This result although a necessary consequence, when
we assume, that the force of electrical attraction, varies in an
inverse duplicate ratio of the distance, still involves the im-
portant fact, that the mdw^ force being caiuiantf the atiracm
twe fQTce varies in an imoerse simpk ratio qf the Sstance
between the attracting boJBe$. These results therefore, go to
prove, that the duplicate proportion observable in the geaend
law of electrical attraction, may be referred to the operation of
two concurring and equal causes; that is to say, to the induced
force, and to the distfoice at which the force so induced acts.
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONfif. 81
when therefore^ thege vary together, and in an inyerse pro-
portion, We haye the inver/se duplicate ratio above mention^.
It may not be uninteresting to remarki t^t similar etfbcts are
obsienrable in the action of a magnet on a mass of iron; the
attractive force being dlTecdy as the force induced in this
iron,rand inversely as its distance from the magnet/whilst the
inductive effect is directly as the power of the magnet, and
inversely as its distance from.the iron: and it is also demon-
strable,that when the inductive effect on the iron can no longer
proceed, the attractive force is not in an inverse duplicate pro-
portion, but in an inverse simple ratio of the distance^ as I have
endeavoured to shew elsewhere.*
d3. The reasoning which has been advanced (29. 30) in
explanation of the duplicate proportion observable in the
attractive force of the free action, admits of muck useful eliici-
datioiiy when the q^antities are represented by analogous
geometrical magnitude; a method which frequently enables
us to demonstrate theorems relating to such, quantities^r with
grreat readinefib and precision; and cfevelc^es many impor-
tant .facts which otherwise would not so i^eadily appear.
iSmce the qjoantity of matter aocumuliEtted on a cbaiged
surface maybe supposed to proceed by equal increments (13)
therefore it may be represented by any magnitude supposed
to Ifow uniformly. Let^ therefore^ the line a c, J^. 22^. move
parallel to itself upon the line {c dj) and generate the equal
spaces e e, mf^n ^, &c; then the rectangular space a, b,
c if^may stand for and represent the whole quantity accumu^
lated;, and' because, as we have endeavoured to shew (29) the
controlling power is constantly decreased, as the quantity of
matter 19 increased, until it vanishes at the time of tE^ ex-
ptbsion; therefore, it maybe represented by any magnitude
* Experlamital RMaarehes, on the Laws of ]3AagntUo Action.
L
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82 MR. HAI&I8 0N THE LAWS OF
supposed to flow ; and at the same time continaally decrease
as the accumulation increases. Let therefore the line a e, also
move parallel to itself, in the direction c dj and continually
decrease by the* quantities e k^ f% g k, ^. which are pro-
portional to the lines A ^9 kf^ a g^ ^c. that is, to the re-
spective quantities of matter, and so generate the diminishing
triangular space A d c, which may consequently stand for,
and represent the whole of the controlling power: then the
quantity of matter first accumulated being represented by the
space e e, the quantity controlled will be represented by the
space e A, and the quantity set free by the triangle, xeh; in
the same way, a double quantity of matter will be represented
by the double space e /'^ the quantity controlled by the space
c t, and the quantity set frjee by the triangle, A y t, and so on«
But the triangles a e &, a /* «, are to each other as the square
of Ae, to the square of a^*; and since Aji m double of a^
these triangles are to each other as four to one. In the same
way it may be shewn, thi^ the triangles A e \ A ^ ft, are
to each other as nine to one, and so on : and as these triangles
stand for the free action, whilst the sides Ag^ jij\ a 6^ are
proportional to the respective quantities of matter accumu-
lated; it is so far demonstrable that the free action of any
given accumulation, is, all other things remaining the same,
directly proportional to the square of the quantity of matt^.
In a similar way, if the lines a €9 kJI stand for the inter-
vals which the force of the firee action can pass, and the relative
quantities set free, be represented by the triangles A eft, Aj^if
&c. as before, then in drawing a curve line o, d, e, p, o, so that
the ordinates d e, eJ\ &c. may vary in an inverse ratio of the
squares of their distances from the point A; these ordinates
D e, Ej'f &C. may stand for the relative attractive force of any
given quantity of matter at the respective distances A ^ Ajf
fitc. (20* exp. 14.)
If therefore, when tiie quantity set firee is A eil, the expIo»
sion takes place, the interval being A g^ and the a ttrac ti v e force
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 83^^
nSf then, in suppofling the interyal Ae to be made twice' as
great, that is to become Ay^ the attractive force of the same
quantity of matter would be represented by e ^ and the
explosicm coidd not occur at this inteiral with the same
quantity accumulated ; but in doubling the accumulation, the
quantity set free would be represented by the triangle Ay i,
that is, it would be four times as great, and the magnitude of
the whole attractive force, would become equal to four times
B^ that is, it would be equal to d e, as before, and the explo-
sion must then again tske place. In a similar way, it may be
shewn, that when the interval A e; is extended to A jf, the at-
tractive force D B, of the same quantity of matter AeA, is
reduced to one-ninth of dc^ that is, to f jf, whilst the quantity
set free, when three times the matter is accumulated, being
represented by the triangle A ^ Ar, becomes nine times as great;
Ae explosion will therefore again pass at this interval, for the
whole attraction will become nine times f g, that is, d e as
before, and so on ;* hence the interval which the explosion can
passywiU be directly as the quantity accamic/lQtfecI. (20) ^
84 The duplicate ratio observable in comparing the effects
of the explosion, (23) would seem to be of a more intricate cha-
racter, the concurring causes by the joint action of which it is
produced not being very apparent. We might indeed be led
to conclude, fix>m the circumstance of the effect being as the
quantity of matter set free, (29) that it depended exclusively on
the state of the free action; which we have seen is as the square
of die quantity accumulated. (21) But such a conclusion is
not warranted by the subsequent pheenomena, for the same
quantity of matter is always equivalent to the same effect,
whatever be the area of the coating, or the thickness of the
glass, provided the surface be in an undivided state, and
all other things remain unchanged, (exp. 21.) Since there
fore, the same accumulation, disposed on jars, varying in size
and thickness, exists in very diffident states of contrdled
^llittis! eijoaltoJD^i^al a4oable, triple, fte.dlfbuiee--seepttge6i.
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84 MR. HAItRIS ON THE LAWS OF
action, the effect must liaye reference oidy to the quantity of
mattejt accumulaied.
This question however, may possibly admit of mudi elnti-
dation, by taking into consideration, not only die quantity of
matter accumulated, but the velocity with which it passes
from the positive to the negative coating. Now it is not irn-
reasonable to suppose, that the latter will be as the attractive
force, exerted between the opposite electrical states; which
being an effect proportionate to a given cause, must necessap-
rily he as the deviation from a state of equal distribution ; that
is as the quantity accumulated : apd hence, a double quantity
of matter, will exert a double attractive force; and conse-
quently, pass with a double v.elocity — ^it will theref<^ have
Jbur iime$ the mamentum. For a similvr reason, a triple quan-
tity of matter, would have thrc^ times th,e attractive force, and
consequently pass with ^ triple velocity; and hence, have
nine tim^es die momentum.*
35, The attractive force, excorted between the opposite
electrical states, will necessarily be independant of all those
indications developed by the uncontrolled action; ev^i diose
resulting from the area 6f the coating, or thickness of the
glass : it must in fact be considered, as the disposition or ten^
dency of a certain natural power, or powders, to a state of equal
* In afsomlog the attractiTe force to be proporttonal to the qvtndtf i
mtilated, we faate to contlder tiie immedittte fbree •zerled i Kt w e otfae opiuika'
eleetriealitatee,>ttheiiirtMrttUdfodttoiia<liiwn|rt^
teee of Ihe free fu«lsB, io reMop to thA qopuilMf aiwi^alf^^
obierred, U proportlpnal to tbe square of |he e6oiiiiiidat)on. We l^Te alrpa4y
fldewm Qi9) tha^ this eflect results from ap increased qn$nti^ of matter, and a
decreased compiling power ; so that if with a doable aocomalatlon, tiiere is
evinced four times the attractite force, it is becaose there Is fbnr timee tlie
quantity of matter set free) and tiie attractive force Is stIU proportiMate tp 1h»
quatlty of matter in action, a»wo htm ^|ft i
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ELBCraiCAL ACCUMULATIONS. 86
dirtrilrolAoii^tlnraiiBliafivaioivc^ For although we •ome-
iSmm %hmF¥ey thflit the aMaaotiye farce exerted between the
oppoeedlcoeluigeyiseaflcieBt to breekdovmthe inlerFening
gliiBs, wheB aeoomulaled pa aflnall extent of coetmg^ whidi
doee not iiappm on a itioM extended eurfiiee; yet, we mnst
not from Aifl effect oonelnde, that the nnttual attradion of the
qipoeke eleotritd siflAeBy dvoagh a gmn dr c^
<xmntekhor ucreaeed^ or (Aerwiee dininhed. The tendency
to an eqnldislrilnitian,eB|inotbe inany odier proportion than
thai of the Tariatkn from the natural atate, that ia to lay, of
the quantity accumulated. 1W power mdieafted by a spon«
taneous exploeion, through the aides of a glass jar, depends
exeluflPraly on die nodber of pointi^ to whidi the attractive
ibroe is eonflned, so that on a great extent of coating, there is
less aetien in any given darectiott« But the ahsdute quantity
<tf aitractif« force, as lefeting to the deviation frmn the natural
state, Mmoins unchai^ped ; the accumulation, whilst in the
act of pipnng through a given drcnit (n bj Jig. 14, being
dnrvm from every point df the intervening ghas through the
medipnef theopposedcoatingR) and finaUy concentrated upon
what may be considered as two cemtem of aotim (dj fb.J So
long as thecirettit, and die quantity of matter therefore, ro«
main michanged, the same attraedve force 'at the instant of
die explosion will be inaetioii; irfiedier die matter shall have
been previowly difltand over a large surfiu^e, or a small one;
or odierwise, whedicritbe d i sposed on tUok glam or on thim
We are hence led to infer, diat when the circuit is made
cempleta, diat is, wiien all distsnce between the opposed coat,
ings, is^asit wsnyannfliilated; it is no longer the attractive
fiirse, as exerted thsongb Ae interveiiing glass, or die extent
of coated sarfeee, or dm indications <tf the fine action whidi
we ham to consider* Brci^thi^g relating to these, at mica
vi^^ishes; for the gveai oonditkm uposi which thafar observed
iafluenee restedi diatis ta say^ die septration ci the q>poaito
states, by die interve&ing glass is destroyed; and we have now
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86 Mft. HARRIS ON TH£ LAWS OF
only to look to the variation, from the natural state of distri-*
bntion, that is to the quantity of matter accumulated, and to
its attractive force through a given circuit, that is to the rda^
tive velocity with which it passes; and therefore, it is not
unreasonable to infer, that the duplicate proportion observable
in the explosive effect of the accumulation on a metallic whre,
(23) may depend on these two causes, taken together; so that
when the matter is doubled, and the velocity also necessarily
doubled, the effect must be quadrupled ; or, in other words,.
ii muii be prapartumau to the momaituM^ with which thegivm
qiumiiijf of matter pervades themetoL
96. These views derive much support from a few admitted
and important iacts— thus, when a given charge is caused to
pervade a great ext^it of circuit, much of its power is lost, and
die explosion of the battery at other times ranarkably loud»
is then scarcely audible,* and to fuse any quantity of metal
with a given charge, we make the circuit as short as possible ;
the effect of the explodon on the wire of the electnnnetery
fig. 8, is found to be gready diminished by increasing die
length of the circuit, that is to say, by retarding the velocity
of die charge, and the effect seems to decrease in an inverse
ratio to the obstacle to be overcome, so that in transmitting the
charge durough imperfect conductors, such as water contained
in glass tubes, die velocity of the explosion is so much dimin»
ished, that the effect, otherwise aMisiderable,.is no fonger to be
appreciated.
It is not improbable, but that the decreased effect of the
explosion observed in disposing die accumulation on a divided
surface, (22) arises in a great measure, from diis cause i since^
in employing many jars, we necessarily increase the nnndbar
of charging and connecting conductors; indeed, the results
griyeninTableI,seemtowarrant such acondusion; for sup-
posing die number of jars to stand for the respective increase
f Singer'! ElcMridty, p. 178.
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SLBCTEICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 87
of condnctors, the corresponding decrements in the effect, will
be nearly in a direct proportion to the number of conductors.
87. In the analysis whidh has been givea of the prc^^pess
of an electrical accumulation^ (33) it may be inferred from
theequality of thetriangles Arfc, Arf By that at the instant of
the explosion, the free action is equal to the controlled action ;
which may bis readily conceived to be the case— for at this
instant, the tendency of the free action through the balls of
the dectrcmieter (a) (b) jig. 14, being equiyalent to neutralize
all die controlling power, the whole accumulation is set firee in
the act of exploding, and a state of equal distribution ensues.
, If therefore, we suppose the explosion to occur with a single
quantity of matter c e at the interval A e, fig. 23, then the free
action will be represented by the triangle a e m, and the con-
trolled action by the triangle A m c; when the int^val is in-
creased to Ay; and the quantity of matter to c^^ then the free
action is represented by the triangle kfn^ and the controlled
action by the triangle A n c, and so on ; it is only necessary to
observe, that in estimating the fi-ee action by its attractive
fiHTce, as indicated by a moveable electrometer, the ix^% action
of the first quantity of matter c e will no longer be represented
by the triangle A m e, when the interval a e is doubled, but by
Ae triangle A « r or one-half of the form^— that is by one-
quarter part of the triangle Kfn; since to obtain a double
accumulation, by means of a moveable electrometer, we must
oppose to the attractive force of the free action at the time of
the explosion, four times Ae weight (exp. 15.) ; when, ther»>
fcne, the interval is doubled, the respective quantities set free
will be represented by the triangles A er, Kfn; when the
ii^erval is tripled by the triangles A e $f Aft^ Ago; wtien
the intoval is quadrupled by the triangles A e hf Afi^ Agk^
ABd. The free actiim being as the square of the quantity
accumnlated as already observed (21.)
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86 MB. iURRIB 0» THB LAW& OF
I have vctttured on Aoee theoretioal oheervatioBSyinQre
wiA a Tiew of tracing Ae connectioii which necessarily suli*
sists between these interesting pheenomena, and of applying
general pifiniciplea to the ^sq^^knation of particular fitcts^ than
with any intention of hariiig sudi obsenratioas considered hb
inoontroyertible. The theory which they include^ nuiat r^
on obaoryation wd experiaient, and it»e¥ideMe jmmt there£Mie
incteaae or deereane with the number of ftctste which it can
be applied, and the precision with whid^ iteK]plaini& tb«pa»
3& It may not be inptofiert, befoce^ cendiidii^ thia [^per ,
to notice some circuniitanoes ooniiected with eleelrieal nyesli-
gations, which appear calculated to involve them in some
oBcertainty ;^ on wUeh wietMfpt they MNrit p^irticular atten-
tion.
In the applioalioii of clecl9ioil( jwi lo the pwpfmm 0f
inireBtigation, it ia^ ^piila emenCial wt omttim e9:pemiMto i a-
quiring great precision^ not oidy dkat thay expoee tha sMie
extent of coated anr&M, b«t thai' thesf be in eveiy aliisr
respect precise^ aini]kr» Vow tboiftonMjnany cmunialanMi
affleoting iha idAatily of ecwHed jmnH»-it ia atosady know%
Aat dfes ctrnage winch a jar caM lac^nxra aaealinniAi^ by lis
otttactit^ ftrce, is in aanm dired^ ratio •£ the area of the
coatings and inwMm^iiirveiw fealia dftlM dttd^^
A tUniar, baring Ae e^m extstt af oeaied smrfoee^ w41
d»vefove, with thn flaiM ■Ma a sii d fcii almyts igiiitft mora.wina
than a thick one: it ntst bd aeiainrttl Immmu,. thatlfaas
is not in oonseqnanoa eC Aotdiffn
bacaasa tbcna is abeafaHqfy iMi
aginnattnu»iraforae.tM}. bi was shi^Kla (aqp^ 8i) thai the
qwnti^ af matter being' tta sMms^tfe effM^ daea net mmj
wbaiever be Iba AKkvasr^f tbeglSHi^ or csw^thearea.of lie
osating, j^vided the jaa caft ]
The way in which tha4io9thgPi»appliedy k
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ELBCTRICAL AdCUMULAtlONH. 89
gtioiee winch will also materially influence the action of a jar;
BO that although the thiclmess of the glass, and the area of the
coating be the same, the quantity of matter corresponding to
a giren attractive fbrce^ shall greatly vary; and the quantity
of matter being the same, the effect shall no longer be identical*
This is die case when a layer of paper is interposed between
the coating and the glass; which is sometimes resorted to in
order to diminish the chance of fracture.* Thus in selecting
some jars from a battery constructed by Mr. Cuthbertson, it
was observed, that one of them materially differed from the
rest; it would admit of a much greater quantity of matter
being displosed on it, with a given intensity ««-but the quantities
of matter being equal, the action of this jar was less than
either of the others by neai^ly one Imlf. On examining the
jiBU* attentively, a layer of writing paper was found to be in-
t^rpdsed between' the outer coating and the glass; this being
removed, and the coating restored, the jar acted in every
respect like the others. The pieip^ therefore being an imper-
fect conductor, impedes thi^'free transmission of the accumu-
lation upon the surikce of die glass; and hence the force of
the explonon becomes diminished : for the same reason it keeps
down the tendency of the accumidation, through the balls of
the electrometer, by whi<ih the controlling power is increased,
as before explained (29.): every species of cement employed*
to attach the coating to the glass, wiU consequently operate
more or less to the diiaadvantage of the action of the jar, accord-
ing as it has a greater or less hisulating power, and is applied in '
greater or less quantity*
3ft. It is therefore essential, where great accuracy is re-
quired, to ascertain in some investigations, the action of each
jar sdpanatdy; If two jiffs, with the same quantity of matter,
ex{>lode over a given interval, or exhibit the same attrac-
tive foree, <ir produce the same effect as estimated by any
of lite farming mediods, (13, IS, 7) dien they may be con»
^ Sinfor'f Eleetrloity, p. ISC.
M
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00 1^* HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
sidered as identical; if not, the separate effects due to eadi
should be noted, and the mean result taken.
40« The way in which a series of jars are arranged, may
also affect our results; when for instance, we increase the
number of jars, and instead of arranging them about a com-
mon centre, as in fi^ 17, in which case, each jar may be
supposed to operate, as if disconnected with the others; we
dispose them as in fig. 18, one jar only being connected with
the conductor, and die remaining jars with each other ; there
appears to arise in the latter arrangement, a g^reater impedi*
ment to the free transmission of the accumulation, and although
the difference is not considerable when two or three jars only
are employed, yet in an-extensire iseries Jt is of ^eat import*
ance. I arranged a battery of five jars, each jar containing fire
square feet, (according to these methods,) and having charged
it in both cases alike, the corresponding effects on the wire of
the electrometer amounted to 56^ and 70^; the less being by
the arrangement in fig. 18, about one-fifth. This circumstance
may also arise from the increased number of conduct<Nrs, which
the accumulation has to traverse; since each jar, except the
first, instead of discharging through the line (a h)^ has to
discharge through that line, and its connexion with the fiiyt
jar.
41. . The usual method of estimating the quantity of mat*
ter by the fusion of wire being very uncertain in practice^
our results may be rendered unsatisfiu^fory from this circum-
stance; indeed it is admitted, by many careful experimentalists,
that wires may become fused, with but slight variations in
appearance, when very different quantities of electricity are
passed through them:* beside which, the difficulty of ascer-
taining with precision, the point at which the fusion takes place,
•o that the wire may be just made red through its whole length,
and then drop into balls, is very considerable ; and we seldom
SiDser*8 Electridty, p. 180.
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS; §1
feel assured, that the given charge is not adequate to a some-
what greater effect: this in many investigations, is of material
eonsequence; since the quantity of wire fused, varies in a
duplicate ratio of the quantity of electricity passed through*
On this subject, Mr. Cuthbertson has the following obser-
vations; he says, alluding to some experiments by Dr. Van
Marum, *^ That he, (Dr. Van Marum) might not have been
aware of the different degrees of ignition, caused by electrical
discharges, but only judged of the force, by the wires being
converted into balls, by which great mistakes will happen ; for
if a wire be taken, eighteen inches long, and of such a diameter,
that when a jar or battery is charged to such a height, as just
to cause it to run into baits, much shorter lengths of the same
wire, may be subjected to the same force, and still be only
converted into balls. If only seven inches were taken, nothing
but balls appear; the only difference will be that the balls
will be smaller, and dispersed- to a greater distance ;^ which
may be easily overlooked.'' He concltid^ by observing,
^ Tliat the htoest degree of ignition must be had, so that when
tfte charge is passed, the wire shall be red hot through its
whole lengthy and then fall into balls.'' ^
42. The method sometimes resorted to by electricfans, in
order to increase- the capacity of a coated jar, by breathing or
damping the uncoated interval on the inside, is also calcidated
to change materially the conditions of the experiment. Mr.
Cuthbertson happened casually to discover, that a coated jar,
when it was a little damp on the inside, would take a higher
charge, than it would do after it had been coated for some
time, and was quite dry on the inside. From this he says, ^^It
appeared evident to me^ that if I could by any means render
the inside of the jars regularly damp, it would answer the
same purpose. Breathing into a jar was tried, and the success
\ such, that it would receive and retain nearly double the:
^ CttdiberUH>ii*s Practical ElccUricty, pe. 180, 185, 180.
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92 1^<A. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
quantity of electricity it could retain when dry; and in trying
to Ignite wire with the charge of one jar in a dry state, no
more than five indies could be ignited ; though after breathing
into it, twelve inches were fused/'* Hence, it is evident, that
by damping the inner surface, we completely change the
relative operation of the jar: it is in fact, little more than an
ingenious method of increasing the inner coating, but in such
way as to extend the surface, by means of an imperfect con*
ductor, over which the electricity is diffused, and so increase
the quantity ; the attractive force of the free action remaining
the same* If we consider the intensity therefore, in relation
to the quantity of matter, it may be said to be diminished;
more especially at that point, from which it has the greatest
tendency to explode: in the application of this method to
the purposes of accurate investigation, we are consequently
ei^posed to g^reat uncertainty.
Thus, in experiments 146 and 147 of Mr. Cuthbertson*s
useful work, it may be observed, (exp. 146) that two inches
of wire became fused, by a charge of fifleen gfrains; and in
exp. 147, eight mdies became fused, with a charge of thirty
grains : but in the latter case it was necessary to breathe into
the jar, so as to accumulate a given quantity of matter, which
must have been more than equivalent to an attractive force of
thirty grains ; evexj thing remaining as in the previous expe*
riment. To have been accurate in these experiments, the jar
should have been damped in each case alike; by which it
would have been placed under the same circumstances when
a charge of fifteen grains was accumulated, as those under '
which it was placed when a charge of 30 grains was accu^
mulated; and then the result as before observed by SJEr.
Cuthbertson, would have been widely different; for the jar
in the former case, would have been adequate to a much
greater effect, so that from these experiments we cannot arrive
at any just conclusion, respecting the relation which subsists
* Cuthbertton*! Praetial Electricity^ p. 170»
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIOXg. 98
between the quantity of wire fused, and tke intensity of the
accumulation; which from the investigations already detailed,
(21, 33) may be easily determined: since the quantity o(
matter is as the square root of the attractive fierce ; (21) and
the effect is as the square of the quantity of matter; (23) The
effect, and the indicated attractive force, should therefore vary
together; all oth^ things remaining the same, and eon«
i^quently the charge of thirty grains, should only have fused
twice the length of wire.
It is rather important to notice the circumstance, that such
would actually have been the case, or very nearly so, provided
the jar had been damped in the previous instance, when a
charge of fift^n gpredns was accumulated ; according to what
is previously stated by Mr* CutfibertBon, and which has been
just detailed ; since the same proportionate increase of capacity
as that abQve-mentioned, must have taken place, even with the
i^aipe in^nsity ; that is to say, the jar being damped, could
have received with the given intensity of fifteen grains, an
l^ditional quantity of matter. Now the effect being as the
square of the accumulation, it would only have required the
addition of about half as much more matter, with die same
intensity, in order to have doubled the quantity of wire fui^ ;
which, considering the influence of the increased capacity,
might have been soon effected. Indeed, if we suppose the ratio
^f 12:5 already stated, w-hich is nearly as 2 : 1, to express
the increased capacity with a given intensity, then the result
would correspond, or very nearly so. When the diifficulty of
ascertainipg the precise quantity which the respective charges
could fuse is taken into account, the difference will not appear
to be very considerable.*
* There does not seem to be any difficulty in accumulating the requisite
charge in a jar, proTided the podtlTe coating is famished with a paper band, as
Ingeniously recommended by Mr. Singer, and the jar freed from a coTer : and
ti order to preserve the state of the jar iarariable, aU the oncoated intemd both
Inside and out, should be careftdly Tarnished— in this case the action of the jar
may be depended on.
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94 ME. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
43. The Tarious circumstances which we have detailed
being duly considered^ it will not seem extraordinary, that
many well contrived experiments should have been productive
of unsatisfactory results ; and that the conclusions arrived at
by practical electricians should have been different. Thus
Dr. Van Marum found his batteries to increase in power only,
in the same proportion as the coated surface : viz. that a double
surface of coated glass could only ignite double lengths of
wire, of the same diameter, which Mr. Cuthbertson considers
to be erroneous, because he found by his method of experi-
ment, that double quantities of electric fluid in the ibrm of a
discharge, will ignite four times the lengths of wire, that is to
say, he found the effect, in this instance, to be as the square of
the quantity of matter. Yet we find p. 183, exp. 149, that this
result varied ; and p. 185 we observe, that when the quantities
of matter were as 3 : 2, this law was no longer apparent; for
exps. 160 and 151 shew, that in this case, the lengths of wire
ignited, instead of being as 9 : 4, were as 6 : 2 ; that is, as 3 : !•
No general conclusion therefore could be arrived at, concern-
ing this law of electrical action on wires, which we have found
(23) is always directly as the square of the quantity of matter,,
all other things remaining the same.
44. Much uncertainty in electrical investigations may be
avoided, by measuring the quantity of matter accumulated by
means of the explosions of a small jar charging from the outer
coatings, as already explained ^^. 16, the discharge being
effected by means of the discharging electrometer, represented
in Jiff. 4. In this case, the electrometers usually employed to
measure the charge by its attractive force, may be di^ensed
with; thus the experiment is placed under the simplest form,
since the same quantity of matter so estimated, is always
equivalent to the same effect, the surface being constant,
whatever be the thickness of the glass, or the area of the coat«
ing, exp. 21, whilst the measure we employ may be considered
as invariable — the jar and the discharging electrometer affixed
to it always remaining the same*
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ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 95
In referring to the works of Mr, Cuthbertson and Mr. Sin*
ger, my object has been solely to elucidate an intricate, but
interesting, philosophical inquiry; and I hope it will be
understood that in so doing, it is my wish to preserve every
proper reiqpect for the exertions of two able and ingenious
men, whose loss the scientific world has so much to r^et.
45. I shall now conclude with a short recapitulation of a
few facts, whicli seem to be established by the preceding in-
quiries:
1 — ^An electrical accumulation may be supposed to proceed
by equal inurements^
A coated surface charg^ing in any degree short of saturation,
receives equal quantities in equal times, all other things re-
maining the same*,
The quantity passing firom the outer coating, is always pro-
portional to the quantity added to the inner.
2 — ^The quantity of matter accumulated, may be estimated
by the revolutions of the plate of the electrical machine, sup-
posing it in a state of uniform excitation ; or it may be measured
by tb^ explosions of a jar connected with the outer coatings.
It is as the sur&ce multifdied by the interval which the
accumulation can pass:
Whea the surfisM^ is constant it is as the interval :
When the interval is ccmstant it is as theisurface.
It isako as the surface multiplied by the square root of the
ficQA actioiL
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96 MR. HARRIS ON THE LAWS OF
When the surface is conBtant, it is therefore as the square
root of the attractive force.
3 — ^The interval which the accumulation can pass, is directly
proportional to the quantity of matter, and inversely proper*
tional to the surface :
It is as the quantity divided by the surface :
If the matter and surfiu5e be either increased or decreased
in the same proportion, the interval remains the same:
If as the matter be increased, the surface be decreased, the
interval will be as the square of the quantity of matter.
4 — ^The force of dectrical attraction varies in the inverse
ratio of the square of the distance between the points of contact
of the opposed conductors, supposing the surfaces to be plane
and parallel ; or otherwise between two points, which fall within
the respective hemispheres, at a distance equal to one-fifUi of
the radius, supposing the opposed surfaces to be spherical.
5 — ^The fir^ action is in a direct proportion to the square of
the quantity of matter, and in an inverse proportion to die
square of the surface.
It is directly as the efibct of the explosion on a metallic wire,
all other things remaining Ae
If the matter and the surface increase or decrease together,
and in the same proportion, the attractive force ranains the
same.
If as the matter be increased, the surfiu^ be decreased,
the attractive force is as the fourth power of the quantity of
matter.
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i..f„mMMimv9MLj
BLECTOICAL ACCUMULATIONS. 97
6— The effect of an electrical exploBion, on a metallic wire,
depends exclusively on the quantity of matter, and is not in-
fluenced by the intensity or free action.
It 18 diminished by accumulating the matter on a divided
sur&ce.
It is as the square of the quantity of the matter.
It is as the square of the interval which the accumulation
can pass.
It is directly as the attractive force of the free action, all
other things remainingi in each case, the same.
It is as the mamentum with which the explosion pervades
the metal.
Plymouth, November 17, 1885.
N
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ni.
PARTICULARS OF THE CONStkUCTION OF A CAST-IRON
BRIDGE OVER THE LARY NEAR PLTMOtJTU, BY JAMES
M. RENDEI^ CIVIL ENGINEER ; MEMBER 6V THE ROYAL
INSTITUTION 0^ CIVIL ENGINEERS; AND OF THE PLYMOUTH
INSTITUTION^ ^
Tbm oonsthictioii of bridges of large dimeiisioiis has^
in evely civilized age and oountry, be^i considered an object
of gcneFftl'interest. Nor is diis to be wtod^red at, when we re-
gaird their iKiUty, <m the difllcuhies to be aicountered in their
erection. Itis not liowcrrelr my intention to attempt the history
of this interesting q^es of ahshitecture — ^It has already been
amply discussed in several valuable treatises — ^AU that I pro-
pose in* tlds paper,^ is to describe a work of great local im-
portance, dt diffiCtdt construction^ and, in some respects, of
liovel arrangmnent*
The Lary: bridge is constructed over an estuary, firoin whicb
it dterives its name, and is distant from Hymoudi about one
mileand a quarter.
It connects a lai^ agricultural dis^ct, on the southern
shores of the county^ with the populous and improving neigh-
bonritood of nynumth.
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100 MR. J. M. RENDEL
The Earl of Morleyi whose property at Sdtram forms the
soathem bank of the Lary, early perceived the importance of a
more direct and conunodious communication than the circuitous
route by Plympton; and, in the year 1807, engaged Mr. Alex-
ander, an engineer of eminence, to surrey and report, on the
practicability of erecting a bridge for that purpose. That
gentleman reported that, in consequence of the unfavourable
nature of the bed of the river, the erection of such a structure
would, (if at all practicable,) be attended with enormous ex-
pense. The idea of a bridge was therefore abandoned ; but,
fully convinced of the importance of the communication, his
Lordship, being proprietor of the neighbouring antient Ferry
between Oreston and Catdown, was enabled to establish a
Ferry Boat of an improved character. By means of this boat,
which, from its peculiar construction and acconunodation was
called a 'Flying Bridge', carriages of every description, with
their horses attached, were ferried across the river with much
greater safety and convenience than by any ferry boat of com^
mon construction. The success of this establishment sufficiently
proved its utility to the public ; but although superior to all
other ferries in the neighbourhood, it was liable to interruption
in bad weather and spring tides, and in proportion as the
public became practically acquainted with its advantages,
these interruptions were felt and regretted*
In September 1822, having projected a Bridge of Suspen-
sion across the Tamar at Saltadi, I waited on the Earl of Mm'ley
to solicit his support. With that quickness, which in all
matters of business characterizes his Lordship, he suggested
the applicability of the principle to a bridge over the Lary,
and directed me to turn my attention to a design for that,
purpose.
The drawings being approved, an Act of Parliament was
obtained in the se8si<m of 1823 for carrying the plan into effect.
Subsequently however, cfarcumstances occurred to occaoon
the abandonment of the site first proposed, and the one on
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ON THE LART BRIDGE. IQl
which the present bridge k baih, being un&rourable to the
erection of a bridge on the principle of iniBpension, the original
intention was relinquished. In the session of 18249 another
act was therefore obtained, repealing the act of 1823, so far
as related to the Suspension Bridge, and extending its powers
to meet the erection of the present structure.
Aware of the opinion of llr. Alexander, I was anxious to
acquaint myself with every circumstance that could be of
importance, and therefore made a survey of the river. In the
strait where the bridge is built, the waters are confined to a
channel of about 660 feet wide (at high water,) formed t>y
abrupt lime rock clifis, which disappear immediately above the
bridge, and leave the Lary a basin of considerable magnitude ;
receiving the waters of th^ river Plym, the Tavy, and minor
streams.
On boring in several places, it was found that the substratum
was schistos or slate rock, lying nearly horizontal, at a depth
of 60 feet below high water. The superstratum consists of a
mixture of granite sand, deposited by the Plym, and alluvial
matter brought in by the tide^ which, having accumulated to
a depth of 00 fe^ on an aven^pe, a considerable portion of the
higher parts of the basin is, at low water, left dry.
On minutely examining the ground at the site of the bridge,
it was discovered that, from the boundary of high water on
the northern shore, the rock dipped at an angle of 80^, and
on the southern, at an angle of 36^:— -that the chasm was filled
with the above described d^KMits, to a depth of 70 feet, to
which we bored, and that the maximum surfiu» velocity * of
* Haying obtained the snrikce velodty in the ndddle of the stream, the
Telodty at the bottom is eaaOy ascertained ; fbr it has been foond, by eijieri-
ment, that if from the sqoare root of the MWifaee veloeUg expressed in inches
per second, unity be snbtncted, tlie square of the remalDder Is the Telodty at
the boUom. If, therefore, tlie former Toiooity be zz v, the Telocity at the
bottom :=v^^2y^ » + 1 • or the mean Tclodty z: » ~ |/ » + i.
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lOa MR. J. M. mBNDBL
qpring tides, through this comporatiyely nditow^ channel,
Aree ftet six inches per second, and their perpendicular rise
ftom eighteen to ninc^teoi feet.
It further appemed that inasmudi as the matter eomposuig
the bed of the river, was Ibose td a considenAle depA, what-^
ever tended, by narrowing the channel, to increase the velocity
of the current, («uch fbr instance as pien of a bridge,) would
at the same time, deepen it. To aroid svch obsCroctions, as
much as possible, We determined on having ihe arches as large
as a due atlefition to economy would adknit. But as- large Hone
arehe9 are very pottdtoous, die ex^^ense of preparing adequate
artificial foundatiens for diehr piers and abluents, on such
ground;^ would have been much greater than it was deemed
prudent to incur. And- as cast-iron combinee dmubility and
strength, with lightness, it appeared the material best fitted
to meet the several necessities of the case.
The value of iron, as a material fiir brid^ building, is Ailly
displayed, in- many magnificent arches constructed in this
country. Its application to Mch purposes, was an idea wordiy
of English artisans; and in point of boldness of des^, and
usefulnefls, is nearly idlied to tlw itfvention of the steam-en-^
gine.
The Colebrook Dal6 compnnjs fassd the- honour of taking
the letA in the construction of ctfsthoronbridgeB. In the year
1777, that company constructed thie first over the Severn, inw
mediately below- their works. Tbii» bridge is one hundred feet
span, and forty-fire^ feet rise. Asa first attemptjitmay be cdn«
sidered a bold and ingenioBs de8^;n.*-It is, however, def^ive
in combination; but this derogfttes nothing from the merits of
the inventors, who^observing the comparative incompressibility
of iron, and the facility with which it could be moulded into any
form, first saw, and demonstrated, its fitness for the construe*
tion of large arches.
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ON TOE LARY BRIDGE. 103
Since the compleiicni of the €<debrook Dale bridge, the
advantages of ii^on» for such purpoMs, hare occnpied the
attention (tf oar mo^ eokiwated engineeni; and the rasalt has
been the ^nployment of it in die conatmiotion of some of the
finest specimens of bridge andiitectnre. Wo need only mention
the one at Sunderland, the Soothwark bridge, and one hikij
built oyer the Seyem, near Tewkesbury.
To prove the superiority of inHi,it need o^y be slated Ihat
the specific grayity of ca^-Jrap, of the ^pudity termed gun
metal, is to the hardest description of gnmite as 2,75 to 1; bnl
its power of resisting pressoce, is in the ptoportion of 88 te 1.
Hence it would appear that a pillar of the hardest granite
would crush at ks base, when raised to the hdght of flfiOO
feet^wiiile it pillar of cast-iEsn wonld bear an olevntionof
115,200 feet, before ks base would giro «qr«
It is this superiority of steengtii in pfopertien to its ireight,
which makes cast-iron of such Ytkie in ihe construction of large
arches; and it ispleask^toreiect diot,by a judieions com^
bination of parts, we hare Ae means of extending the meehanic
bow, far beyond whai eould have been done with any oAer
matmsl.
In the construction of fimmo-^ork of OFsry description, it
should be a first care to avoid eonqpiexity and mutilation in the
several parts. It §Jioukl also be recollected, that quantity of
material does not constitute strengfdi, unless every part is
accurately proportioned and adjusted to the several irtrains to
which it is exposed. It js the due obserranoe of this principle
du^ stamps the value of every piece of firanung, but nuNre
especially of (hat new under considetition.
In the coi|struction of iron arches, (after having* secured
adequate abutmento) leteach s^pnent of a drde, or any other
curvQ composmg a rib, be formed of pieoei, ae long as can
Digitized by VjOOQIC
104 MR. J. M. REND1EL
conreniently be cagt; and it is eridentv that the form of the
arch must be destroyed, or the abutments separated, before the
bridge can come down. It is, therefore, only necessary to con-
struct a segment, so that its form shall not be changed by the
various weights which it may hare to support, and to guard
against its yielding sideways, and all that can be required is
accomplished.
To insure permanence in fiiejvrm of the curvef it is neces-
sary to give the segment a depth proportionate to the chord
of the arch ; and to secure it in a vertical plane^ a judicious
distribution of matter is more in^rtant than quantity.
< After these genial remarks, which I have considered, in
some d^ree, necessary to elucidate the subject, we proceed
to the particular description of the Lary bridge.
. The sketch, which accompanies this paper, is an accurate
representation of it. In the arrangement, it will be seen, that
I have differed materially from other works of a similar nature :
First— in the form and termination of the piers, at the springing
of the arches ; and, second — in the curre of the arches, which
instead of being s^^ents of a circle, are segments of anellipse;
thus, in great measure, avoiding what I have been led to con-
sider a defect, in other works of a like description. I allude to
the unpleasant effect produced by small s^rments of a circle
springing firom straight sided piers, always disagreeable to
the eye of an observer, from the abruptness of the angle. By
the present arrangement, the arches, at a little distance, se^n
to form a continuous line with their piers ; which, in unison
with the superstructure, unbroken by the intrusion of unneces-
sary masonry, produce an effect that will, it is hoped, be found
generally pleasing. The dimensions of the bridge, are as fol-
low, viz. — ^The centre arch is one hundred feet span ; its rise
or spring^ing, .fourteen feet six inches: the thickness of piers
at the springing, ten feet; their thickness at low water spring
Digitized by VaOOQlC
OH THE LART BRIDGE. 106
tides, fifteen feet : at the foundations, nineteen feet : their
height, twenty-nine feet.
The adjoining arches are each 95 feet span ; their rise or
springing 13 feet 3 inches. The piers, taken as before, 9 feet
6 inches ; 14 feet 6 inches ; and 18 feet 6 inches respectively :
their height 29 feet : the side arches 81 feet span ; their rise
or springing 10 feet 6 inches. The abutments at the level of
the spring^ing, 13 feet 6 inches ; at the level of low water 17
feet ; at the foundations 19 feet : their height from the founda-
tions to the springing 28 feet.
To produce gteaJter stability, the abutments are made to
.form an areh, which, abutting against the wing and approach
walls, acts in opposition to the thrust of the arches of the
bridge.
The arches spring frcmt their piers and abutments about four
: feet .afeflfve high water of spring tides* Their altitudes corres-
, pond .with the curve or camber, of the bridge between the
abutments, which is fatmed by a radius of 4670 . feet.
The roadway is 24 feet wide within the railings, 500 feet
in length within the abutments, and in the centre of the bridge
.22 feet above high water of spring tides.
In the width of. the roadway each arch has five ribs, equi-
distant from ea^h other, and each rib is cast in five pieces —
.they are cast solid, and their cross section is formed thus —
being 2 feet 8 inches in depth at the springing, 2 feet at the
apex, and in every part 2 inches thick, with edge-flanges
to give them lateral strength.
o
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106 MR. J. M. RENDBL
Cast-iron plates 25 feet long, 2 feet 8 inches wide, and 3
inches thick, are firmly bedded in the masonry of the piers and
abutments, and receive the ends of the ribs in shoulderings
(Mr sockets, formed thus —
The intermediate ends of the ribs are cast with flanges, and
are connected togeth^ transversely, by strong plates of iron,
fixed at right angles to their line of direction, and to which
they are connected by screw-bolts, two inches square.
The arch thus formed by lateral and transverse pieces, has
25 divisions or spaces; in each are fixed two braces, having
the form of the letter X : their ends being screw-bolted to the
ribs, operate as a system of diagonal bracing to the whole arch,
and fix the ribs immoveably in a vertical plane.
The spaces between the extrados of the arch, and the
roadway, are filled up with a system of triangles, the diagonal
formed by their apexes being the true line of bearing, or per-
pendicular to the line of forces; thereby equalizing the weight
of the superstructure over the whole arch. These triangles
are preserved in a vertical plane by cast-iron tubes, abutting
against their intersections, being tightened by a wroi^t-iron
screw-bar, embracing the whole transversely.
Above the springing of the arches, the piers are composed of
cast iron framing, fixed perpendicularly by diagonal braces and
cross ties ; their upper-ends terminating in a plate 4 feet long
and 8 inches wide. On these plates, the ends of the bars whieh
carry the covering or road-way plates, rest in grooves, and
admit of a reciprocating moticm, in thedirection of their length;
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ON THB LARY BRIDGK. 107
io order that any expansion or contraction in the arches, arising^
from change of temperature, may be provided against.
These bars are cast in the form of the letter T, and fixed
vertically over the main ribs, and are consequently supported
between the pier frames, and their intersections with the ribs,
by the triangular braces before described ; forming a flat arch
for the whole length between the abutments of the bridge ; the
radius of which, as before stated, is 4670 feet. On these bars
rest the covering or roadway-plates, 1 inch thick, 13 feet long,
and 3 feet wide. They are laid in the tranverse direction of
the roadway, and are connected laterally by flanges and screw-
bolts, and transversely by dovetails; forming one sheet of cast
iron, 26 feet wide and 500 feet long ; which being firmly con-
nected to the framing below, by strong dove-tail tenons, cast
to the bearers, and wedged tight in corresponding mortices in
the plates, serves the double purpose of roadway-plates and
bracing, to the whole of the framing, by which it is supported.
A bed of strong clay, four inches thick, covers the whole
surface of these plates, upon which is laid, small broken stone in
the usual way of making roads. Iron side-railings, and foot-
ways of Cann slate, complete the superstructure.
In the construction of bridges of every description, it is of
the utmost importance, that the directions of the joints of the
several parts composing the arch, should be at right angles
to the line formed by the several forces acting upon the arch,
by means of its own and superincumbent weight : it is also
important to the stability of the arch, that the line of thrust
should pass through the whole of the parts composing the arch,
in, as nearly as possible, the same relative point : the two pos-
tulates of an arch of equilibrium, about which so much has
been written, with what success to the practical engineer, I
must leave others to determine. The labours of Dr. Hutton,
diould however be appreciated ; for, in a mathematical point
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108 MR. J. M. RENDEL
of yieifTy his theorem for an arch of equilibrium is clear and
satisfactory, though the practical difficulty (or I would say
impossibility) itinyolves, whenthe intradosare semi-circular or
semi-elliptical, renders it almost useless to the bridge builder.
But that an arch of equilibrium, with any description of curve
for the intrados of the arch, can be obtained, is a fact, which I
hope satisfactorily to prove in some future communication ; it
being inconsistent with the present design to enter more fully
into the discussion : I would however remark, that the arches -
of the Lary bridge are constructed on this principle ; and that
the piers are made sufficiently thick to include the line of
thrust, which has this advantage, that the destruction of one
or more of the arches, would not affect the stability of the re-
, mainder ; a circumstance which in the construction of bridges
of several arches, claims particular attention.
In every kind of architecture, an adequate foundation is the
first consideration ; but as it most frequently happens in the
construction of bridges that the foundations must be artificial,
various modes have been resorted to. All are however expen-
sive, and difficult of execution; and in cases where the ground
is loose, and the stream rapid, extreme care is necessary, to
secure them against all vicissitudes. Formerly, in the bed of
a deep river, it was customary to make a foundation by driving
a quantity of piles all over the space allotted, and the whole
of the interstices, between the piles, being filled with small
stone, the pile-heads were cut off at the level of low water,
and the masonry commenced. But in such cases, the piers
were immense massec, requiring to be protected with sterlings,
which added to the size of the pier:-<-thus the water-way be-
came so much reduced, and consequently the velocity, of the
current so much increased, that the bed of the river was not
unfrequently washed away, the foundation undermined, and
the safety of the fabric endangered. The old London bridge,
and the old part of Rochester bridge, are instances of this
kind. For this method^ long since disused, there has been
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ON THE LARY BRIDGE. 109
substituted, the more scientific and secure modes of construct^
ing foundations by means of coffer-dams and caissons.
In few instances have the difficulties to be oyercome, in the
formation of foundations, exceeded those we had to contend
with at the Lary bridge, as must be evident firom the de*^
scription of its site. These difficulties having been success*
fully met by methods somewhat new, it is hoped that the
following particulars respecting them will be found interesting.
The works commenced by inclosing the areas of the intended
foundations with sheeting piles of beech plank, four inches
thick, and of convenient width ; say from nine mches to fourteen
inches* Their edges being prepared thus ^^f/jf^ and being
driven quite close, effectually inclosed the areas of the founda-
tions. These piles were driven to a depth of fourteen feet, in
guide-frames, (to keep them perpendicular) by a pile engine,
in which worked a cast-iron weight of 450tbs. The spaces
thus inclosed were excavated by means of what were termed
^ sand-spoons,' to a depth of from six to seven feet ; they were
worked by three men on stages, fixed about four feet above
low water, the excavated sand being discharged over the sides
of the piles. In appearance, these spoons resembled the ballast-
dredge used on the Thames.
As the excavations were completed, the g^round was piled
with whole Memel or Norway timbers, the piles being arranged
in rows, about four feet six inches apart firom centre to centre,
in each direction. These bearing piles, having to carry the
whole weight, or nearly so, of the superstructure, were driven,
not as customary to any prescribed depth, but until they would
not sink more than one-eighth of an inch, with a weight of
15 cwt. falling firom a height of 25 feet inunediately upon,
their heads. They received twenty extra blows with the same
weight and fidl, after they had arrived at this degree of firm-
ness, which in few cases happened until they were from thirty
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no MB. J. M. RENDEL
to thirty-fiye. feet in the ground. Each of the pier foundations
contained from sixty to seventy, according to the solidity of
the ground, afker a certain quantity had been driven. The
abutment foundations had from seventy to eighty, and those
on the north abutment are, on an average, forty-five feet deep.
To pitch and drive such lo^g timbers was by no means an easy
matter. Temporary stages and platforms were erected about
four feet above hig^ water, and there the men worked tho
pile-ragines.
The next operations were of more difficulty than any of
the preceding, and required considerable care and accuracy
in the execution. I allude to the levelling of the pile-heads,
which were to be cut off at least nine feet below low water
of spring tides; and the paving of the spaces between them
with masonry.
From the nature of the bed of the river, it will be evident,
that to exhaust the foundations of water, would have been
impossible ; since, however secure the sides of the dam might
have been, the surrounding water would have forced itself
below the dam, and made its appearance through the bottom. *
A saw of a similar description to those used by IMbr. Milne m
the construction of Blackfriars bridge, would have been suffi-
cient to cut off the pile-heads : but to pave the spaces between
them, it was necessary that the work should be laid open to the
hands and eyes of the labourer. It was therefore proposed,
that both operations should be performed by the assistance of
a Diving-Bell ; and economy being important, it occurred to
me, that instead of a cast-iron bell, which, with its apparatus,
would t^ost from £700. to £800. one of wood might be made
* 80 ezoeedioffly loose If the bed of the rirer, that I feel conriiioed had it
been potilble to ezhantt the water from the foundationf instanUift the whole
of the endoted spaee would have been Mown mp^ notiHthiitaiHttny the tncremd
dMiityofthegmad^ces tto sdby IhepUlDf.
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ON THE LART BRIDGE. HI
for one-fifth of the amount. The experiment was accordingly
tried, and the result more than answered our expectations. I
am induced to give a description of this bell, as its economy
may render it useful to others. Our first care was to procure
well seasoned elm wood, in boards of 1^ inch thick, and these
were put together in two thicknesses, crossing each other and
treenailed. The joints were dowelled and tongued ; and, to
render them air tight, flannel, saturated with a composition of
bees' wax and rosin, was placed between them. In the top
of the bell, lenses, such as are usually employed, were placed
and bedded in the above-mentioned composition. Two hoops
of wrought iron were then passed horizontally around the inside
and outside of the bell, and screw-bolted together, so as com-
pletely to protect the wood work from internal or external
pressure. Internal and external iron stays, in which were
fixed the sling chains, crossed these horizontal hoops, and con-
nected the top of the bell with the sides ; and being screw-
bolted to the hoops, distributed the weight of the bell, when
slung, over the whole of the iron framing. The bell was 5 feet
9 inches long, 4 feet 6 inches wide, and 5 feet high ; and required
an additional weight of 3 tons 15 cwt. to sink it. The weights
for this purpose were of cast-iron, hung round its sides. As
the water was deep and the stream rapid, it was deemed expedi-
ent to guard efiectually against the escape of air ; the bell was
therefore, as a further precaution, lined with sheet lead. Air
was supplied to the dirers in the usual way, and thus the several
operations of levelling the pile-heads, paving the spaces between
them, &c. were carried on with ease, certainty, and dispatch.
Platforms, composed of wood and stone work, of the fbrm
and dimensions of the several spaces inclosed by the sheeting
piles, were constructed on the shores, and the joints being wdl
caulked, and rendered water-tight, the first courses of masonry
for the piers and abutments were built on them, to a height of
from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet. In order to make this a floating
mass, it was surrounded with wood work made perfectly water
Digitized by VaOOQlC
112 MR. J. If. RBNDEL
tight, and conneeted with the platfonn sustaining die masonry,
by strong bars of iron, previously fitted to cast-iron sockets,
bolted thereto, forming a sort of box about sixteen feet in
height, and in length and breadth equal to the platform. —
Thus prepared, the joint, formed by the connection of the
sides and ends with the bottom, was caulked; and the whole
becoming buoyant, was floated from the shore, and sunk on
' the foundations, previously prepared by the aid of the diving
bell. When the masonry was built a few feet above the level of
low water, the sides and ends of these caissons were disengaged
from the bottom, and used in a similar operation for the next
foundation* In construction and application, these caissons
differed materially from any others with which I am ac-
quainted*
I have before stated, that the gpreatest difRculty in the con-
struction of a bridge of arches in this situation, arose from the
extreme looseness of the natural bed of the river. It therefore
became necessary, as the works proceeded, to adopt some
effectual means of guarding the foundations against the influ-
ence of the increased velocity of the stream. An artificial
bottoming quite across the river at the site of the bridge,
appeared the only certain remedy, and it became a question
what were the best materials and mode of accomplishing our
purpose.
Having ascertained from experiments that the strong red
clay, found in the limestone quarries in the neighbourhood
of the bridge, did not waste when exposed to a current of
water moving with a velocity of seven feet per second, acting
immediately on its surface, it occurred to me, that this clay
and the calcareous spar obtained from the same source, would
form the best possible materials. As soon, therefore, as the
bed of the river had scoured away to the depth at which we
thought it expedient to conunence this artificial bottoming,
the work was beg^ by depositing the abovementioned clay,
mixed with small stones, over the whole surface of the bed of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON TKk LART BRIDGE. 113
the river, from 60 feet above, to 70 feet below, the bridge ;
which was proved to be the extent of the increased current.
The clay was kept, as nearly as possible, about two feet thick,
and lastly it was covered with rough blocks of limestone and
spar, within one foot of the original bed of the river. The
stone being thus firmly imbedded in the clay, while the clay
(being impervious to the current) prevents the water getting
down to, and acting on, the loose bottom ; the whole is, by
their united assistance, secured in a way that could not have
been accomplished by either of the materials applied singly.
This bottoming will improve in hardness and strength, from
marine accumulations filling the interstices bi^tween the stones,
and from pressure &c.; so that ultimately, I have little doubt,
(and the experience we have already had, fully justifies the
opinion,) that the whole will be as compact and hard as inatiy
of our indurated rocks. The sectional form given to thii^
bottoming will be clearly understood, on reference to the
accompanying drawing of the bridge.
All the masonry, with the exception of such parts of the
piers and abutments as are in contact with the iron work,
which is in granite, is built with lime stone from the neigh-
bouring quarries, belonging to the noble proprietor of the
bridge. The piers and abutments are built with wrought
blocks, in sizes varying from two to five tons each.
As the strength of masonry depends much on the goodness
of the cement or mortar, particular care was observed in pre-
paring the mortar for the work under water. One part of
Puzzolana, to two parts of ground blue Lyas lime, were mixed
under a mortar-mill, with three parts of sharp clean sand, un-
til the whole formed a tough paste. Mortar of this description
acquires the hardness of Portland stone, in the course of a
month, though constantly immersed in water; but conunon
Digitized by VjOOQIC
114 MR. J. M. RENDEL
lime and sand mortar, prepared in the most careful manner,
will never acquire hardness under water, and should therefore
be avoided in such situations.
The works began on the 4th of August, 1824 — ^the first stone
was laid on the 16th of March, 1825, and the bridge was
opened on the I4th of Jidy, 1827— on which day her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Clarence and suite first passed over
it*
The foundations, masonry &c. of the bridge, were executed
undv contract by Meseors. Johnson, of the Plymouth Granite
works, and of Holywell-street, London ; the manner in which
the work is finished, is their best praise. The iron saperstruc-
ture is by that able and experienced founder, Mr. Hazledine,
of Shrewsbury.
It is needless here to eulogize the public spirit evinced by
the Earl of Morley in this important work; the expense of
which was certain and considerable, whilst its returns could
only be precarious. For the steady confidence with which
* The foUowiDg inscription which was Aindshedby Mr.Walla>, and approTed
and amended by the lale Right Honourable (George Canning, Mr. William
Bankes, the Earl of Carlisle, tlie ReT. Charies Young, and other soholars of
eminence, is mAzed to a blodc of granite, at the norHMrn eztremltj of tha
bridge,
HUirO PONTBM
SENATVS AUCTORITATB SUSCBPTUM
XOTAS rr COMMODAS TIAS
msCLUDBHTBM
JOHANNES COMES DE MORLEY,
sou SUMPTIBUS
STBUBMnUM coBAvrr.
OPUS INCHOATUM, A* O. 18S4;
ABSOLVTUM, A. O. 18S7.
J. M. RBNDEI% ABCBITBCTO,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON THfi LART BBIDGE. 115
his Lordship encouraged one, young both in years and in his
profession, to meet and surmount the various obstacles and
natural di£BcuIties in the execution of this work, perwHol
gratitude alone is due — ^but for the advantages derived from
the bridge itself, the Earl of Morley has laid the public of
Plymouth under lasting obligation*
The benefits to a nation, from such a spirit of truly patriotic
liberality amongst her nobility, are incalculable. To the many
magfnificent exertions of it, England owes no small part of
her commercial prosperity ; and the names of the Dukes of
Bridgewater, of Portland, &c« &c should be venerated by
every lover of his country, as powerful contributors to its
present emin^ice. With regard to Plymouth, it is to be hoped
that the example set by the noble Earl in this and other pub-
lic works in the vicinity, may find imitators. The natural
advantages of the town and port are greeLt^ and nothing appears
to be wanting for raising them to a still higher scale of national
importance, but a continuance of that enterprising and liberal
spirit which is at present dawning amongst a large portion of
the inhabitants.
PigmotUk, Jan. 1680.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Digitized by VjOOQIC
IV.
ON THE RISE AND DBCLINS OF PARTICULAR MORTAL
PISEA81», DURING THE LAST TWENTT-FIYB YEARS; WITH
AN ATTfiMFT TO ASCERTAIN THE liAW OF MORTAUTY, IN
RESPECT OF ITS DISTRIBUTION QN VARIOUS AGES, AND IN
BOTH SEXES : BY EDWARD BLACKMORE* M. D. MEMBER OP
THE ROYAL MEDICAL 8QCIETY OF EDINBURGH, AND OF THE
PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
Dimtazat Rerum Magnarmn par?a potest ret
Exemplare dare, ae Testlgla notltiai.
The subject oi this p^>er is ccmtained m tlie follawiog
pasmge of Malthus's Esny on the Principle of Population^
vol. 2f B. iy* c. 5.—^ Nature will not be defeated in her pur-
poses; the necessary mortalky must come in some form or
other; and the extirpation oi one disease will only be the
signal for the birth of anodier, perhaps more &Ltsl. We can-
not lower the waters of misery by pressing them down in
different places, which must necessarily make them rise some-
where eke— the only way in Irhich we can hope to effect our
purpose, » by drawing thtem off. In a country which keeps
il8 population at a certain standard, if the average number of
marriages and births be giren, it is etident tlmt the average
number of deaths will be also given ;iuid the channel through
which Ike great stream of mortelitjr is coBstantly flowing, will
Digitized by VjOOQIC
118 DR. BIACKMORE ON THE RISE AND
always carry off a given quantity. Now if we stop up any
of the given channels, it is most perfectly clear that the stream
must run with greater force through some of the other channels ;
that is, if we eradicate some diseases, others will became more
fatal. In this case, the only distinguishable cause is the dam*
ming up a necessary outlet of mortality. The way in which
it operates, is probably by increasing poverty, in consequence
of a supply of labour too rapid for the demand. If the cow-
pock should extirpate the small-pox, and yet the number of
marriages continue the same, we shall find a very perceptible
difference in the increased mortality of some other disease.
Nothing could prevent this but a start in agriculture.''—
The view of the reign of death herein exhibited, is truly dark
and startling. This doctrine of the conslanoy of mortality
wears an aspect which is naturally calculated to repress the
elibrts of phflanthrophists to extirpate diseases; — and the
fatalum with which it invests mortality, tends to shut up
mankind in hopeless subjection to the various ills of their
condition. The passage moreover assumes, that mortal diseases
will necessarily and perpetually exist ; and thus for ever
precludes the hope of man's attaining to a natural issue of his
earthly existence in the exhaustion of mature old age.-—
Omitting to discuss the truth of this proposition in the ab-
stract, as designating the law of mortality in a state of society
where the populaHon ismakmg pressure on themeans of subm
sistencef I propose to inquire— How far, from the r^^ister of
deaths in the course of the last twenty-five years, m(»tality
is shewn to be a constant quantity f — ^What changes have beoi
wrought in the various channels through which the great
stream of mortality has been flowing — What relative proporm
turn is observable in the rise and fidl of particular diseases f—
lbs, for example, the d^ession in the mortidity of the small-
pox since the discovery of the cow-pock, been a means of
diminidiing the general mortality in the raie of that dqprtsnom ;
or, has an increase in the mortality of some other dinases, ab-
sorbed those whom dM dedbM of tfae small^pox had permitted
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DECLINE OF MORTAL DISEASES. 119
to surviye ? Can any natural explanation be assigned of the
variations in the channels of mortality » and of the general
constancy of death ? or, is its invariable amount to be ascribed
to an inscrtaabk law qf Dwine Providence ! — ^< that,'' in the
words of Dr. Woollcombe, " which the plan qf Providence in
the creation qf life requires ^ If there be snch a determinate
rule in the prevalence of death as Malthus expounds, what can
MEDICINE effect in promoting the well being and life of the
community f
The LoNDOH Bills of Mortality present us with the
largest scale of deaths of any record within our reach ; and
they are of sufficient accuracy for the object of our inquiry.
For although the designation of diseases in them is not scientific,
and their materials are drawn from sources which might be
presumed to be tmcertain and inadequate ; yet, as Dr. Heber-
i>Eif has well remarked, ^* The agreement of the bills with each
other at variouis periods, does alone carry with it a strong
proof that the numbers under the several articles are by no
means set down at random, but must be taken from the uni-
form operation of some permanent cause.'' And more exact
proof of their general accuracy is to be found in the accordance
of the numbers of those Aseases^ taken together j which are known
to be peculiarly prevalent at particular ages, with the total
numbers which toere ascertained to have died at those very ages.
It is only necessary to premise further, that * the bills ' con-
sist of two tables ; one of the deaths at different ages, without
distinguishing the fatal disease ; the other of different diseases,
without distinction of the particular ages, when they were
severally fiitd.
I select then, as proper tables for ccmiparison, the bills for
two periods of six years each, from 1795 to 1800 inclusive;
and from 1820 to 1825 inclusive — for the proportion of one
mortal disease to the total mortality in any given period, is
assumed to be a fair subject of comparison with the proportion
Digitized by VjOOQIC
120
DR. BLAGKMORE ON TOE RISE AND
of the same mortal disease to die whole mortality in another
period ; and the variation educed by this comparison will be
strictly correct, provided diat either the periods of time, or
the total deaths in each period^ be, equal. In the former of the
above periods, the deaths among infants were 35,925 ; in the
latter 32,439 : giving a reduction in the mortality of infants,
during these late years, of 3486 in a general mortality of
116,513 ; which reduction, if it w^re extended over the whole
world, would make a gain to population of UoeiUy^even miU>
Kens of infants in the course of the mortality of a generation
of human beings!
We are now to examine by what variations in those particular
diseases, which more especially belong to infant age, * this
reduction is explained — ^and how the general amount of mor-
tality in the adult, during this period, seems to have been
, affected by it — which inquiry will show how far this saving
of infant lives has been a positive gain to population, and will
also confirm, or limit, or refute the proposition of Malthus.
On collating the London Mortuary Tables for those several
periods, it appears that the following infantile diseases have
fallen m mortality, and are on the decline.
TABLE I.
DISEASE.
Number from
1795 to 1800.
Number from
1820 to 1825.
Differeoee of the Num-
bers or DecUnatioii.
Conmisioiis
24,329
17,074
7,255 caj
1
SmaU Pox
10,867
4,702
6,165 (b)
Teething
2,334
1,462
872 CcJ
a This deeUne nearly eqotls one-tldrd of Its former total mortality I
6 DecUne equals one-half of Its former total mortality.
e The dedfaie Is one-third of Its former total mortality in six years 1
• Infancy comprises all persons below two years of age.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DECUNB OF MORTAL D18BASBS.
121
' The table of the number of deaths at particular ages
evmcesy howeyer, that the actual saying of infant lives dur-
ing- Ais latter period was below four thousand ; whence it is
manifest that scmie other in&ntile diseases must have greatly
risen in mortality in the interval of those periods. These are
exhibited in the following table.
TABLE II.
DISSASB.
Number from
1796 to 1800.
Number from
1890 to 1895.
1
Croup
97
586
489
2
Hoopliig C#«Sli
1^468
4011
1548
Water in the
Bndn (a)
. 444
3029
2585
• Bfeadtt
1671
4261
2590
SdU-born
3418
4579
1161
Had the diseases enumerated in the first table not fallen in
mortality, and had the measles &c. in the second table assumed
their present rate of destruction, the deaths among infants had
a It if aoMthm ^baUethtt mtny casei of this eUas of tsetse may in the
praoedios taUe have been eonfomided with eofumfoion* ; but the reenlts whidli
theae tables are adduced to exhibit are not aiBBoted by thia error, inasmnch as
on eombMng the$e tmo eUuset, in the several periods, there is a disparity of
nearly fire thousand— shewing incontestibly a savinf of infimts In the recent
period.
b The total amonnt of the deaths which are comprised in tliese two tables,
daring the former period being 45,628, and during the latter period 89,704, and
the actual deaths below two years being in the former period 85,995, in the latter
89,489 ; there are at least 9698 cases of these disorders in the first instance, and
7965 in the second, which must have occurred after infancy, and consequently
are to be transferred to the sabsoqoent tables.— Vide note* p. 195.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
122 DR. BLACKMORE ON l^B RI8B AND
now been 49417 (a) out of a total mortality on all ages of 116614,
in the course of the six recent years, instead of 3343&-*-oi
there had been an augmentation in the infimt mortality of 194 fit)
millions in an entke generation.-^Hjad the former dass on the
contrary, fallen, and the latta* receiyed no increase^ tlio mw^
tality woald have been only 27,913 in this period; that is,
there would have been a saving of infant liyes equivalent to ZiCO
millions in a generation. Such vast elements are these diseases
in the powers which are destined for the repression <^ human
life!
There is a diflference in the grand totals of the last columna
of the above tables of 5919 ; while the actual saving of infimt
lives, during the recent period, is shewn in the bills to be
only 3486: there are consequently 2483 deaths to be trans-
ferred from the total of decline in table L (which has been
assumed to consist for the most part of deaths in tPf^imli) to
the dass of adults' diseases in the subsequent table*
What then are the variations in those diseases which prevail
for the most part amcmg adults %
The diseases among adults, W which have recentlyya/Zn
in mortality.
a That ig, on the astmnptf on that all the anmbew fai ^aec td^et r wwln of
iDfluitf; hat ts firoB Dots « p. ISl, some of the eaaaa were sdiittt, the aatsil
deathfininfhatawoiildheaboafti&yOOO; and the ratio of aufwated siortalily
61^ minioiii in a feneratloa.
h Thif ia obtained by moltiplylag 77Si, the proportion of 1 10,614, to
900,000,000 by 18,409, wUch la the dUferenoe of 40,417 and 85,096.
e Hie prodoet— namely, of 4596, which if the difference of 89,480 and 97,9 18,
into the proportion of the mortality of the London biUi to the general mortality
of the world ; this saTing howerer wonld happen not in alz yean, bat in thirty
years— the sapposed average period of the existence of a race of manlrfnd,
d This term is nsedia contradiitinttioa to ff|/2Me9, and dasfgiMlea all aboTa
the age of two years.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DKCUNE OF MMITAI. DISBASE8.
TABLB IIL
123
IMSBISB.
Number from
ITVOto 1806.
Number flrom
I830tol8S5.
DUforenooor deereate In
Stzreeeotyetra.
CooMmiptfoii (a)
29,864
26,260
3604
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
:
•
•
•
•
•
•
i
Dropiy
«249
478ff
464
Colie»DlwrlMBa,
Worms
184
\U
29
FeT«n
Il«n4
SSXO
Si45
Goat
M6
198
448
^Mmdlee, tad
Pl«wl«jt
£11
/ 377
134
1407
1224
183
•iid8or»4hnMt
387
208
IS9
To this total, the addition of 2433 deaths from the diseases in
Table ly (which is the diffeF^ice in the numbers of smalL-pox
a^d convulsions, during the two periodft, which must hsFo
ocGutred after infancy,) makes the true decrease in the disieases
of ai&iltsy to be 13^809 in die course of the six recent years.
The diseases among adults, which have recently ri$m m
mortality.
a Tbh tttm, tl hit been luppofled, eonpriies varioiis Ol-defined cties of
dMiset fr«mi long Intanial dlteuet, and Iherefore Is i^^
of tbe mortaUtj ft€m pktkUU or pnlmomar^ eotmmption ; bot the author has
saeertaiaed from the obaatfatloni of aoforal phyaiciaii&, that the deaths from
I sf the huigt taken togstber, are quite equal to the proportion herein
b Many of this nomber may have been cases 0t Mwppoud Intenud aortifl-
cation; yet it is probable thai the greater part consists of external gangrene,
wUdi is f ery prejalcnl Js ths ojergrown poor^hooses of tlie ■ e t fe p e l i s .
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1^
DB. BLACKMORB ON THE RISE AHD
TABLB IV.
DI8BA8S.
Nomber flrom
I79fitol800.
Number from
1890 to 1835.
DiiTerenee or in-
crease in late yem
Abseen
\%S
548
363
S
1
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
:
•
•
:
•
•
•
•
Apoplexy
1384
1672
288
Aged
8155
12,159
4004
ABOunaandPBlpitatfon
3723
4589'
816
Caneer
'■ 365
516
151
SjrileptyandSpMm
• 20
396
376
Eryiipelas and EroptiTa
disorders
11
151
140
I4»er grown, and Stop-
page of Stomach (a)
87
102
75
Haemorrhage, and
AborOoii
116
195
79
Inllammations^tk^
2633
10^7
7734
Hepadtis, or Inflamma-
tion of.the UTer (e)
540
540
Insanity and Palsy
1185
2024
839
Bheunalism
22
72
50
Serofda
29
65
36
Thmsh
274
462
188
Sadden death W
1018
1018
Hernia or Ruptnres
106
191
85
Dropsy in Chest ^e^
465
465
Child-bed
981
1188
207
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DBCLtB^ OP MORTAL DtSEMES. ' 125
On deducting from iSm total t>f increafle» the total of decrease
in tlie fonner table there remain 4565, which is tihe amgmeiUed
la$9 &f adkU lives in the latter period. But as tihe casualties
are omitted in these two latter tables, a deduction should be
made from the above number, which would educe the true
difference, 3102, in the amount of adults in tihe two periods ;
the total deaths in them being in the early period 80,913 ; in
the later 84,075.*
KOraf TO BBPiaSlfOM MM VABU IT.
a Ph>btlily metiis dliesM of ths ihNMti sad Itfcr, with dkMjp^
in theio orgaiit--]ifayaottlieiobecaMfifliflroMwhwua8oertaliiodto be the
htt by dJMcetloD I
h I sappoM to mean inflflBUBBtory dUordan, both of Internal and external
partf.
e The eaaea of tUf disorder were probably plaeed among the clasi above it»
in the earlier period; Itilargoinereaaeof kteyearinaybetfaereeuHofanew
noBneaclatire, imrodBoed Ohm India I— or an ignonat reference of iU deftaed
I to a wrong sonree.
d Thiawu la the former period claned with apoplexy.
e Formerly Indnded with general dropty.
/ The author does not defend the terms which are adopted in these bills, nor
does lie hold the rariations In otf the partleolar diseases which they exhibit to be
strictly correct. In many instances, howeter, when the disease Is certainly and
Tolgarly known, as apapUx^^ fever^ drvpty^ ean«itffioiit-'4he Tariatlons, ho
oonoelfei, may be depended on.
* In soma inttanoes, then, It is requisite to somMm the analogous diseases
In these two tables, In order to ascertain the Tarlalions of each disorder.<->
Digitized by VjOOQIC
126 DR- Bf4ACKlfORB ON TH£ RISE AKD
These Fariations then, are a deHionfteatioii <S£ the e3UBteBoe
of a law of mortaliiy 9 within ixrtam BmitSf as it is propotuaded
by Malthus-^hat a redvetion, of the deaths from one disease,
is followed by a rise in some other! For whi}e the above tables
manifest that some, both' in the adult and in the youn^, have
fallen in mortality, they also evince that, ^ers haye at the
same time risen; and a decrease in theldeathii amcug the
young, has more or less, been counter-balanced by an increase
in the mortality of adults. — ^The prc^rtion however, in the
variations of mortality, is not so exact as absolutely to check
the extension of human life, and the growth of population!
For it is seen firom the very bills of mortality, apart from the
registers of the population, that fewer persons now die in
infancy than i^ the dose of the last century, and more dfe
**agedP
The text of Mr. Malthus requires a particular remark on
the actual influence of the cow-pock on the general mortality.
The decline in the small-pox in the course of six recent years,
when compared with six earlier years, is seen in table L to be
6165 ; the deaths in all ages from aU diseases being 116,760.
From which decline alone, were it extended Aroughout the
world, there would result a saving in the infant peculation of
Bm this conftolon in the biUfli will not alfoet the renfi which the argnment in
the text Ib founded on— the positive disparity in the amoimt of those diseases,
in the two periods, which, forthemost part, ooenr In the adult. And if it be
objected, that many of the diseases in these tables must contain ii(/aiiti— it Is
replied, that the note b page 191, which shews that the total of diseases in the
JirH tm0 iabUw surpasses the number of infants deceased in the seyeral periods,
as well as the nature of the particular diseases, erinces that no deduction is to be
made on this account which can aflbct the argument Moreoyer, the total
amount of the diseases in these two latter tables combined with the numbers
stated in the note, p. 191, are in the first period 78,886, and in the recent period
89,941 ;~the difference of which nombers it aba 4665, thus yertiytog the text,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DBCLINE OF MORTAL DISEASES. 127
nearly forty-eight mSKotis^ in an entire generation of nme
hundred millions ! And as these require thirty years, in order
to be swept away by death, there woold be co-existing in any
present year, on thei whole face of the globe, one million five
Irandred thousand infimts mere than in any year at the close
of the last centmry ; supposing the marriages and bfarths to be
only as numerous now vA them And eren this vast reduction
in mortality does not comprehend the whole extent of the
tamng pawerM efthe caw^etc^ for tfie decline in the iatedity
of convulsions also, is truly owing to die partial extinction
(would to God it coirid be said the complete extirpation !) of
ike small-pox, which are often fatal in the stage of their erup-
tion under that form. So vast wouU have been the gain to
popuhaioHf had other h^faniile dkeates remained at the mme
rate of mortaSty as thef formerly evinced.
The authority of trutih, however, compels me to do homage
to the prophetic acumen of Mahhtis; and forbids me to assent
to the calculation of a French Philosopher, who states that
twenty-five millions in a generation have aetualbf been saved
to population, or what is equivaleni, that three years have been
added to the value of life, by vaccination. — ^The enlargement
of other channels of mortality has operated as a compensa-
ting check on the multiplication of infimt lives. The infant
population has indeed gained a vast accession, as well by a
diminution of mortal diseases, as by an increase in the mar-
riages and births. Fewer in&nts have perished !in the later
period of six years, as compared with the earlier period, in
the rate of twenty-seven millions in a generation: — ^the pre-
servation of the mijority of whom is truly to be ascribed to
the depression of the mortality from the small-pox, and from
convulsions as connected with it. But the gain by this portion
of the community has been met by a greater loss of adult lives;
fai whom mortality (as it regards the relative amount of deaths
from particular diseases in equal remote periods, but not m
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1S8
DR. BLACKMORB ON THE RISE AND
reference to the existing popukaitMf) has risen in nearly an
equal ratio to the decrease of deaths in the yoong !*
It will next be interesting to mqnire how far tihe variations
in the mortality of diseases at Plymouth correspond with the
Ix>ndon variations, daring the periods before stated. These
variations are obtained finom the r^^ister of the Public Dispell*
sary, for the years 1799 to 1805, and for 1824 to 1826, inclu-
sive, with that at the Author's practice during this lattar
period. The total mortality in the former period was 321 ;
and in the latter, 285. The deductions from so limited a scale
are only preipunptively true, yet they form a useful nucleus
for future observations,
TABLE V.
BISBISI.
Mortality from
1790 to 1805.
Mortality from
18Mtol897.
FMUfe
Nttmben
Ratio
toScncnl
Mortdity.
PodUve
Nonben
Ratio
toOeneral
M<rrtiiHty.
Asasarca or Oeneral eztorrial
Dropsy.
9
1:36
9
1:31.6
Ascites, or Dropsy in theBoHy
4
1;80
12
1:23.7
Asthma, or Disordered
Respiration.
I
1:3S1
13
1:22
Apoplexy.
10
I :32
9
1:31.7
* This ratio truly expresses the saving of inflmt life within the sphere of tlie
London bnis, and in to /or as these bills represent the tariations in the relatlye
mortality of tiie yomg and ihb adsll In other parts of the Ungdom, or of the
globe, the sereral ratles in the above taUas are an aoenrale criterion of dM pre-
sent Increased Tilne sflnliuit llfci, and of the ?arisfioat In te raktive nort^
of particular diseases, hi the British empire, and hi the world at large. The
oompletion of this iofic reqidres and amply merits the obsenratlon of phyUdaat
In Tarions parts of the globe.
Digitized by VaOOQlC
tABLB r. CONTINUE^.
12»
INMitI,
Mortality from
1700 to 1805.
MorUUty from
188Stol897.
^odliTe
mnDDen
Skdo
toOeneitl
MortaUty.
PodtiTe
Numbers
Ratio
toOenenl
MortaUty.
OMVrl, or CoM in tk I^tuigf
8
It9«
Cliol6r%Dlaithc4i^aiidDy8Ait0ry
10
1 :32
19
ltl«
Pyilpe|ila,prI|Kfiffe*U<itt
2
1:142
OttQ^Hr
S
1 :<7
Giucdlds^ or DiiMUed HMrt
7
li40.7
Gonruitio
1:107
10
1:28
Cynanche Trach(»alis, and
LarytfgM, Or Strlddoos Sore
Throat, and Loss of Voice
1
1:321
6
1:47.5
Erysipeli^
3
1:95
Pibrit
96
Ii«.7
19
1:15
•OOfflS^^P"^
1
1:321
20
i>ie
^FastrMs, o^ ImflanlmiMioii In
theStoiwe^
8
1:47
Hydrothorax, or Prepay In
4
1:80
7
1:40,7
B]ipod from the i;ii]i|:t
2
i
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ide
DB. BLACKMORE ON TBB BISB JOiU
TABIDS V. CONTINUED.
DISEASE.
MorlaUty from
1799 to 1805.
Mortality from
1828 to 1897.
Podtiye
Numbers
Ratio
to General
Mortality.
PotitlT.
Nnmben
Batlo
toCteneral
MoruUty.
Murcor; or Dedine.
9
1 :d6
9
ItSS
MorbUU, or Measles
6
1:53,5
U
1:26
Perliuali, or Hooping Cough
9
1:36
S
I: £7
Pneumonia, Pleoritis, and
Dyspno^or Diseased Lungs
from Inflammation
38
1:8.5
S3
1.S.4
Phthids, or Consumption
7S
1:4.3
SO
1.6.7
Phrenitis and Hydrocephalus,
or Inflammation, with
Water in the Brain
4
1:80
23
1:12.4
Peritonitis, or Inflammation in
the BeUy.
8
1:35.6
The diseases whose positive or absolute mortality is presumed
to have risen in Plymouth, of late years, are a$Miarca and
aseitesj asthma^ pneumonia^ catarrh^ water in the chett^ apo^
plexy^ diarrhceoj and cholera^ diseases of the stomach, and
hearU cancer, convulsions^ cr<mp^ erysipelas, inflammations
generally, mesenteric disease, or decline in children, measles,
and phrensy fever. Those which have fallen, are fevers,
hooping cough, consumption, and the smalUpox.
From these columns it appears that the following diseases
are accordant in their variations here and in London : — phthisis,
variola, febris, pneumonia and injlammations in general, hydrom
thorax f asthma and dyspnoea, apoplexia, catarrh, diseases of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
' DBCLtNB OF IfOttTAL DISEASES. 131
the hearty and sudden deatkj dyspepsia^ erytipelaSf measles^
scarloHna^ tabes mesentericaj and scrofula^ the croup j and can^
cer. A few diseases are discordant: — ascites^ diarrhcsoy eho*
kfOi cammkionsj pertussis. The rise of conrukionB and
diarrhoea here, is in part connected with the great ^»read of
the smalUpox and the measles in this town during the last
few years. Plymouth is, however, at all times peculiarly
prolific in bowel complaints.
The principle which I proposed to illustrate, is, then, amply
confirmed by the variations in particular mortal diseases as
they were incident on all ages indiscriminately. — There k
another mode in which the constancy of mortality is manifested,
namely, in the equaliied distribution of death over different
ages at various periods— collating distant periods of life witlu
out distinguishing the particular mortal disease. — In whatever
period mortality falls lighter on some certi^in ages, it is found
to fall heavier on other ages in that period ; and if at a subse-
quent period it is lessened on these latter ages, it is increased
on the ages where before it was lighter ! So that whenever
death is n^ore prevalent In the young, the effect of this on
population is compensated by the life of the adult being
prolonged ; — ^fewer deaths then happen in middle life ; more
persons survive to old age ! A saving of the infant, on the
contrary, is at the expense of the adult; — ^a reduced loss of
adults is at the expense of infant life — and so r^^larly is this
constancy of mortality sustained by a corresponding rise and
fidl in the. various, means of deadi, that it is to be deemed
A LAW— a fixed rule of actioE^ — the course of Nature — the
plan of Divine Providence. *.
* It should be remembered that this priadple of baUnee or oompensatioii is
alBrmed to be trae only fai reference to the rtlative prnportion ^ particular
'wunial.dUeaMSs among each other; and that this law of mortality is not so
absolute as to maintain an equal and inyariable amount 'of deaths in reference
to the ezistbif popalatibn, at certain diiferent periods.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
168
OB. OLMIMOWi ON 709 VHW WO
In or^ td illwtrfda wkb tsome preeniw tli^ «q«alwiitt9^
Jo the allptaeet of death iii various ages. I hare fonqad a t^ble
£rom the hoadon bilk, which exhibits the propw^on of deathf
infivtn portions Of life |o the gc^ttal iBert»lit]r< imiv^ UlP
f ollowi^ periods df titne }
TABliE VI.
A9S.
Below Syn.
FromStotf
— 5 to 10
— 10to20
— 80to30
—30 to 40
— 40to50
—50 to 60
—60 to 70
—70 to 80
—80 to 90
Periods omme— I4OMDOI1B11.LS
Ut0.16.U. UaMt^t, UB-M-V.
It3.34
1:8.77
1:23.8
I:l{9.19
I'K.S
l:I0.6ti
1:9.98
1:11.9
1:12.9
ltl«.59
1:41.1
1:4.008
1:9.4
1:20.07
1:28.12
1:13.04
1:9.89
1:9.32
1:9.80
1:9. 4i
1:13.79
1:25.87
1:3.29
PCTMOUTH BiLU FOR
THE LATTBR rSRIOO.
1:10.10
1:26.68
1:25.8
1:14^8
1:12.6
1:11.16
1:11.41
1:11.53
1(2.85
1:8.8
1:21.19
1:21.64
1:18.14
1,12.7
1:15.14
1(15. 1
1 15.1
1 13,.'^ 1:12,5
1:45.811:28.2
1:8.'6
1:6.5
1:19.4
1>30
1:26.7
1:24.8
1>2».5
l>lt.S
1:12.4
M5.8
)<40
l*2.Sfl
l:T.f
1:20.7
1>24.5
1:19. a
1:16
1:17. e
1(14.4
1>1;
1>13«4
1>39.«.
Digitized byCjOOQlC
INBCUNB OF mOfKlAL UWAiBS^ IgB
On oollafci]^ aowe fom ef then seetions, fox ezaiMple, two
of duUhdod with two 4)7 »ud»od, we fiad Aat in Ae tort
period mortality was higher in the youngs and lower in the
adalts— in the next, it was higher in the adult, and lower in
Iheyfiwg in Ito katpiariad «boit was higiiin the child, and
Ti^ry Ldw in the agtd.
Death nevter iUls coiripai&tiydy lighter or heayier on all
ages at the aave time: immunity in one age is coimterbalanoad^
as to population, by a faeayiittr load of mortality on another* So
admirably equal is the infliction of death on the irarioos periods
of human life tfarougfaent a given aeries of ysiars.
On comparing the mortality at Plymoisith and Loudon <
the last of the above periods, we remark that fewor deadhs
occurred here in the age from 40 to 50 — the ratio being as 1
in 17. 8 (Plymouth,) is to 1 in 11 .16, (London.) Whereas in
infimcy more died here, relatively to Ae tottl mortality, than
inLondon;a8lin2.68is to 1 ind.d9» This is an awful fact!
a9 London has always been regarded as, preweminpntly^ dm
9cp9iicnT€ o^ wn(6 yeMMf* A uc TCTy nign moTtattty Of miants m
this district was then owipg to dbe frightful ravages o( th^
tneades iemd the small-pox*
Thus far we have fllustrated the constancy of the reign of
4eadu**-I shall next display its BQUALisAnofi among various
lages and sexes*
The Sovereign Arbiter of human life and death compensates
to society fpr the greater severity of disease #nd death in one
agf% and sex, a| a particular period, by the then comparativo
immunity of another age and sex from their ravages. Tho
system of comtpensation and check, in the relative proportion
of mortal ^yseasesi is as aMrfcedo ndwynlar iiAeliwr rfAeir
Digitized by VjOOQIC
134
DR. BLAOUIORB ON THE RISE AND
This eqaalisation is exhibited-— First, in that a rise in the
relatire mortality and frequency of diseases is not in the $ame
ratio.
In order to elucidate this position, I institute a comparison
betwixt Dr. Woollcombe's Register of Diseases and Deaths,
for seven years, from 1799 to 1806, which comprises 4409 cases
of disease and 321 deaths, and a register formed by combining
the Dispensary practice for three late years, comprising 2390
cases of disease and 1 12 deaths, with dut of my private practice
during the last four years, which contains 3282 cases and 173
deaths; the combined register therefore includes 5672 instances
of disease, and 285 deaths. The following conclusions, being
formed from a scale of 10,081 cases of disease, and 606 deaths,
may deserve some confidence. .
J
TABLE Vn.
Exhibiting the variations of the principal fatal diseases in
this town in relative frequency and morttdity, foir the before
assigned periods.
DISEASE.
Frequency
PowtWe
Namben.
1799. 1813.
IJMft. 18S7.
Mortality
PotiUve
NomlMn.
1799. 1833.
180&. 1837.
Rebtire Frequency
to ttptgtUot
Dimn.
I7W.I806. 181}. inr.
Relatire Mortelity,
or Narober of
DeeeuedtotheSick.
1799. 1806. 1833. 1887.
l.A8tlra»,Dy8piisa,
Fneomonia,
Catarrhos
572
946
40
69
1;T.T
1:6
1:14.5
UlS.}
9. Phthisis
J 98
137
75
50
1:22.3
1:41.4
1:2.7
1:2.5
8. Hemoptysis
27
39
2
1
1:163
1:115.4
1:13.5
1 :39
4,Hydrothorax
10
15
4
7.
I:4404>
1 :378
1:2.5
1:2.14
5.Pertiisds
60
3]
9
-
i
1=73.4
1:183
l:6v6
!:«.«
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DECLINE <>F MORTAL DISBASES.
TABLE VII. CONTINUED.
136
DISEASE.
Freijaeiicy
io
Pom tire
Nam oen.
1799. 18i3.
1805 18S7.
Bloitallty
(n
PowtlTC
Nmnbcrt,
I7W. Itt%
1805. 18ST.'
RektWe Freaaency
1710. I80& uaxiflsr.
Relatire Hortalitj,
or Number of
OeceiiedtotheSick.
1799; 1806. lan. 1817.
6.MorbiUi
71
88
6
u
1:62
1:64.5
1:12
1:8
7. Apoplezia
12
17
10
9
1:367.4
1:334
1:1.2
1:2
8. Convulsio
9
35
8
10
1:488.8
1:162
1=3
1'3.5
9. Phrenids, and
Hydrocephalus
9
108
4
20
1=488.8
1:52.5
1:2.25
1=5.4
Anasarca, Ascites
112
87
13
21
1:39
1:65.2
1:9
1 = 4
Erysipelas
11
30
3
1:400.8
1:189.6
= 11
1=10
Diarrhcea,Cholera,
Dysenteria
304
385
10
19
1:14.5
1=14.7
1=30.4
1:20.3
CoUca,Constipatio
60
131
1
2
1:73.5
1:43.3
1:60
1=65.5
Tabes Mesenterica
31
32
9
6
1:142.2
1:177
1 = 3.4
1=5.3
Peritonitis,
Enteritis
2
237
1
30
1:2204
1:24
1=2
1=7.9
Variola
112
37
46
9
1=39
1:154
1.-2.4
1=4.1
Seariatliia
68
21
5
1
1:69.6
1:270
1=12.6
1:21
FebrU
487
400
56
19
1:9
1=14.8
1 = 9.74
1=20.1
Digitized by VjOOQIC
186 I>B> Bt.ACKMOBB M OSB Sttfe AMD
HABht Vlt CdKTIlfrtSa).
DI8BA8B.
Numben.
ttM. Att.
1S0». I8S7.
PoJtin
NwabciA
rm. latt.'
RditinPMquncy
taAnrcfiUor
DIMM.
l7«l».tBD<k na&lnr.
•r Danberof
in».i8(». itaa.uBa
DisetseiofLiuifi
807
lis?
121
,«
I:«.4
1:5
1:6.6
1:8.9
3r«lii,of7,6,9,wiai
Chorea, fipilepsy,
Pdsy, Mania
1«4
£31
18
40
1:26.9
1:10.6
1:9
1 13.2
HMrt
6
48
I
7
1:735
M18
1:6
1:7
Skilly fte.
444
541
8S
25
1:9.9
1:10.5
1:7.65
1:21.6
1:24.3
StOQiadk
261
607
2i
1:17
1:9.8
0:261
UteatfoM
492
827
27
57
1:8.9
1:6.8
J:I8.3
1:14.5
A <^ofiiparidoii of the96 columns skews that of late years in
diis town diseases of the lungSf of the bram^ and of the heart,
hflemoptoe, apoplexy, conFuIsions, water in the brafD, colic
and inflammations in the intestines, have rUen in Jrequeiuy but
fallen tn relaiibe mortaKiy > whereas, pluki$iSf measkij drapey,
Harrhmj cholera and dyientety taken together, and pertnsns,
luwe/atleninJVejuency andrtseninmartcilUy. Some diseases,
on the other hand, ha^e risen both in fre^qaency and relative
mortality; — ^for example, inflammations in the lungs, hydro-
thorax, ascites, choletm, dyspepsia, etysiplelas^ and diseases of
the stoitech and intestines ; while tabes mesetfterica, ferer, tbd
«inalI*pox, Bcarblina, and dneaiBes of the skin taken lagpather^
have fallen in frequency and mortality !
Secondly, the equalisation in the reign of disease and deaths
is ermced in the Sfference qf the raie as to frequency and
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DJ&CLINB OF MORTAL DI8BA8E8.
137
mortality in which diseases are incident on various ages and
sexes.
JPirst, as it respects the reign of disease and death in the
6BXES ; — ^the greater prevalency of a disease in one sex, is
compensated by its having a smaller relative mortality than in
the other sex, which is found to be less liable to that disease.
TABLE VUI.
DISSA8I8.
Total i» botk$e*u
or
Diiease. Deaths.
PBOPOBTIOM IN
NALi or
Diseaae. Deaths.
PBOPORTIOM IN
DIaeMe. Deaths.
Aicites, Anasarcft
88
21
22
8
66
13
CarditiB
48
7
30
4
18
3
Cholerm
88
S
34
4
51
1
DiarrhoM
268
13
IfiO
7
118
6
Bnteritis
138
22
60
12
78
10
Phrenitls, Hydro-
cephalus
110
25
60
13
50
12
MorbiUi
88
11
£4
4
34
7
496
45
235
28
261
17
FeriloniUs
99
8
24
3
75
5
Plenritis, Plenro-
dyne
112
8
42
4
70
4
Digitized by VaOOQlC
138
DR. BLACKMOEB OM THB RIBB AMD
TABLE VIII. CONTINUED.
DISEASES.
Totalinbotkteset
or
Direase. Deaths.
PBopoanoM IN
MALBOV
Disease. Deaths.
PBOMBTIOK III
wtMJLhM or
Disease. Deaths.
Febris
402
19
166
9
236
10
MarMmus
59.
9
24
6
35
3
IMseMM of the
Longs
1119
125
503
61
616
64
Stomadi
£89
7
151
3
438
4
IntesUnet
518
37
250
19
268
18
Brain*
264
34
132
17
132
17
* The addition of Innoeaons Headache, which la hr more preraleDt in the
female, would make the apparent ezoepaon in the last lection accord with tbe
principle.
Some of the above numbers do not correspond with those in the precedinf
table, as rtie distinction of sex was not noted in many of the unimportant cases
contained in that table.
Secondly f the same principle obtains in the allotment of
diseases and their mortality as it respects different a^et;— a
disease lias not the greatest tendency to a mortal issue in the
age which is most liable to that disease.— -A novel and impor-
tant fact.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DKCUNS OF MORTAL DISiBASBS.
TABLE IX.
139
DISEASE*
MOST DlSBASnO
▲OB.
HOMBBB
OF
Sick.D«thi
MOST
BBLATITBLT
MOBTAL AgB.
MUMBBB
OF
Sick. Dtttha
Anasarca, Asdtds
From so to 80
16
4
From 40 to 50
14
5
PDeomonia, *|
Afthma, y
Catarrh J
OF CHILDBOOO.
The First 6 yean
the first ten
From 80 to 40
908
989
190
80
80
5
The first year
and
first ten years
86
18
(Carditis
From 40 to 50
18
9
From 80to40
ApoplezU
From 50 to 60
4
9
From 40 to 50
8
Conmlslo
first year
11
6
From 9 to 5
5
Cholera
ilrst year
First ten yeajps
16
97
1
1
First year
From 40 to 50
16
17
1
J
DIarrtNM
First ten •••
Second year
From 80 to 40
171
71
97
10
9
9
First ten
From 9 to 5
171
90
10
Erysipelas
From 80 to 40
7
1
From 90 to 80
6
DyspepsU
Ditto
118
• •• 50 to 60
40
Enteritis
From 9 to 5
First ten
97
79
5
19
First year
From 10 to 90
8
8
8
Gastritis
From 90 to 80
85
1
F^om60to70
14
9
Hepatitis, letems
From 90 to 80
84
From 50 to 60
9
9
Morbini
From 9to5
84
9
First year
8
Plenritls, 1
Plearodjne /
From 90 to 80
40
9
From 40to50
18
1
Phthlds
From 80 to 40
45
16
From 40to50
95
18
Digitized by VjOOQIC
140
DR. BLACUfORB ON THB RMB AND
TABLE IX. (X)NTINUED.
DISBASBS.
MOST DISBASBD
▲OB.
XUMBBB
OP
Sick.I>etths.
MOST
RBLATITBLT
MOBTAL AOB.
NUMBBB
OF
8ick.D«thl.
PeritonitiB
From SO to 40
88
9
From 60 to 60
4
1
Pbrenltls 1
Hydrocephalus J
From9 to 6
first Uto
first ten
17
87
64
6
7
10
From 9 to 6
• •• 6to 10
• •• 80to40
...40to60
17
17
7
9
6
8
8
9
PertoflBis
From 9 to 6
18
8
Second year
8
I
Rhenmatisiii
From BO to 40
64
From 40 to 60
41
1
Febris
First ten years
FromlOtoSO
.••90 to 80
116
08
78
9
7
6
From 16to90
• ••90 to SO
• ..80to40
61
78
64
6
6
8
Diseues of Longs
First year
first ten
From 80—40
99
977
907
14
84
99
Second year
..•40to60
81
148
14
90
Btomaeh
From 80 to 40
184
First ten
From 60 to 70
60
40
8
9
IntafUnes
Second year
First ten
From 80 to 40
06
978
69
6
98
8
First year
Flrom9to 6
..•10to90
84
68
48
7
8
Brain
From 9 to 6
First ten
• ••80 to 40
96
06
41
4
17
8
First year
From 40 to 60
. ••60 to 60
98
98
18
6
6
4
It may be remarked tbat I have not taken equal periods of
time in the seyeral ages for ccmiparison, but what are presumed
to be equal proportional ages in respect of their liability to
disease:— the first year, the second, the next three, the next
five, and all subsequent tens, mfiy be supposed to be nearly
equal as to the susceptibility of the body for assuming, or as
to its powers of resisting disease.
T&trd/y , the equalisation of mortality is shewn in that, if in
any period there is an increase of deaths in a certain age, there
is a proportionate decrease in that age at a subsequent period !
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DECLINE or MORTAL DI8BA8B8. 141
In the parish of St Andrew, for example, the rate of deaths
in infants to the whole mortality, was in the years
1823-24-in 24-25— in 2&.26— in 26.27.
As 1:3 1:2.76 1:2.96 1:3.8.
Now by the London bills it appears that the average rate of
deaths in infimts to the general mortality is 1 : 3.44 or 1 : 3. 28.
So that whereas the rate of infant mortality here in 1824-1825
and in 1825-26 surpassed that of London, in the following year
it was reduced below it; an extraarJBMory lou in ike farmer
years being ccmpeneated in the loiter by an extraor£narjf pr^
servationt
The Third Part of my subject is an oiquiry into the
CAUSBS of this constancy of mortality ; what explication can
be assigned for the yariation in mortal diseases?
In the tables of those cognate diseases which hare seyendly
riaefa or fidlen in mortality at the present period, we remark
an order of anomalies, and an order of harmonies. Those I
term eognatef or kindred diseases, which possess a natural affi-
nity,as being situated in the same part of the body^or as pos-»
aessing a similarity in their pre-disposing and exciting causes.
First, of the anomalous Tariations, or those which are iu
imposition to that natural affinity above described, — ^I offer
examples in the rise of apoplexy, palsy, insanity and epilepsy,
with the fall of couTulsions— the rise of asthma and scrofula,
with the fall in consnmption-^-the rise of water in the brain,
with the fell in convukions— the rise of water in the chest,
with the fall in consumption— the rise in diseases of the sto-
mach, with the fiJl in the gout and stone— 4he rise of inflamma-
tions, with the fall of feyers— the rise of hepatitis, with the iUl
of jaundice— 4he rise of the thrush, with the fall in teething
and diarrhoea*
Digitized by VjOOQIC
14f DR. BLACKMOaB ON THB RISB AND
Second^ of harmoniouB variations we have examples
in the concurrent increase of apoplexy, insanity, palsy, and
spasm — of death in childbed, and of abdominal inflammations —
of diseases of the stomach, head and heart, with sudden death—
of rheumatism, inflammations, and bleedings— of scrofula,
insanity, hooping cough, and water in the brain— <of hydro-
thorax, inflammations, and croup— *of cancer, and diseases of
the stomach. Again, in the decUne of the mortality from
jaundice and gout — scarlatina and sore throat — ^fevers and
mortification — ^teething and diarrhoea — convulsions and small-
pox. Lastly, in the increase of deaths termed * aged,^ with the
decline in mortification, stone, dysentery, and gout— in the
increase of inflammations, with the decline in mortification
and the dropsy.
Whatever variations admit of solution by natural causes,
can be referred only to three cfarcumstances : — ^first, to changes
in public manners ; secondly, to vicissitudes of climate ; or
thirdly, to revolutions in the science and art of medicine.
To the first we might refer the variations in gout, apoplexy,
insanity, and sudden death. The prevailing character of the
last age was sensual; in the present, a devotion to the voluptu-
ous passions of the mtiuf, more particularly, that fescinating
desire of personal agg^iiandisemeat which pervades all claaees
of society, has supplanted the g^tification of the grosser
appetites of man's animal nature; and where the latter had
slain its thousands, the former has slain its tens of thousands !
Can we ascribe the variations in fevers, inflammations, measles,
hooping cough, &c. to changes in the seasons, combined with
changes of general manners ; (ht, what is the same in efiect, to
changes in our modes and means of obviating the vicissitudes
of climate f For the increase in the class of infantile disorders
some philosophers have assigned the circumstance of the
decline in the small-pox having left more infants surviving to
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DBOUNE OF MHITAL DISEASES. 14)
beeome their yictiiiw. It is a curious fact, that the whole
mimber who appear from the Loadon bills to have died of the
croup, of water in the brain, of hooping cough and measles,
in the later period above defined, nearly equals those whom
the smaU^Mn, convulsions, and teething had failed to carry
-off!
Thirdly, revolutions in medicine may have effected the rise
n die desiffnaiums of chronic pneumonia, and the fall in con-
sumption — the rise in abdominal inflammations, and the fall of
dropsy in the belly— the mew creation in the London bills of
hqHUiHif and of hydrothorax — the rise of abscess, and the fall
of mortifications. Some of these changes are explained by the
supposition of different names being assigned at different
periods to the same disease — the variation being nominal only ;
others express a positive rise or fall, and thus exemplify the
triumphs of the present advanced powers of medicine.
The varialion in wfbmmaiians merits a particular remark,
Ifaey being stated in the bills to be quadrupled in the course
of the last six years. This I refer in part to a change in the
medical distinctions and designations of disease ; partly also
to an alteration in the condition and habits of the people, who
now have better food and habitations than formerly, and there-
Are are less disposed to diseases of debility ; partly, however,
to a law of Divine Providence, by which a general decline in
co-incident mortal diseases is not permitted.
It is pleasing to remark how much more smoothly the
stream of mortality has been flowing in late years. At the
present time the annual bills seldom show a disparity of more
Aan twelve hundred deaths, whereas at the beginning of the
century we find a variation from one to six thousand;
such m serious, disparity must have severely deranged the
course of social life. The present equality of death is owing
to the check which a general improv^nent in the manners
Digitized by VjOOQIC
144 DR* BLACKMORB ON THE RIBB AND
and coiiditioii of the nation, the advanced state of mediein^
and the merciful ^fiat^^ of Divine Proyidenee, liaTe placed or
pettileniial fevers^ and the tmaU^x.
Many of the foregoing^ rariations admit of easy and natural
explication ; in others we do not discern a natmal causation.
Epidemic diseases, such as fevers, measles, and hooping cou^,
prevail at particular seasons only, and with unequal rates of
mortality, and having run their course declineandexpire. Why
they are not at all times equally prevalent is a mystery ; they
come without human anticipation, add at times repd Ae best
directed efforts of human skilh Is it unphilosophical to resolve
their revolutions into the good pleasure of the Almighty, who
saith, <<Thus ihr shall ye go, and no farther'';— who <<taketh
away the breath of man and he dies.'' The political econo*
mist sees only cme cause of the grei^er mortality of certain
diseases when some others are confined within narrower dwn^
nels^ ^ The damming up a necessary outlet of mortality, which
engenders poverty,"— -which issues in disettae and death. It
cannot be questioned that the pr^^rtion of the means of
subsistence to the necessities of a people will ultimately r^^
late their general well-being; but no political necessity finr
death can regulaie the ehmmeb of m&rialiijft or maintain such
a disparity betwixt the means of life and the existing popubi»
tion, as is requinte to generate poverty and mcNrtal maladiw.
Certain epidemics may have had for thehr precursoraan unnsoal
scarcity of provisions^ or a> state of deep public calamity ; there
are, however, unquestionably, many adult as well as infimtile
diseases whose rise and fall cannot be traced to any previous
abundance or pover^ of the means of subsiBtoaee, nor to an
extraordinary course of the seasons. If saeh a principle as
<<the plan of Divine Providmce respecting human life and
death" be not admitted, might we not expect that tfaysse canses
which tend to elevate or depress a di s ease as to.ite fiequency
should nntt&iri^ effect tit role ^siena%y^That this is mrt
the feet has been demonstrated.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
raCUiiJB or MWTAL DI8BAU8. }45
The famfik isfiur more tfie subject of diieaie than the mde,
while he is more exposed tkui she is to some diseases of high
oiortality ; yet the muabers of each sex who die aimaally are
sngolarly equal!
If then the proTmleaee of disease and death be the ineyitable
allotttmit of a snpeniatnral power is the art of medicine nnga^
torjr^^By no means: the arrangements of Divine Prpyidoice
hare established an infiUlible connexion betwixt certain means
and their ends; and the moral rdatioai of man eiyoin the ex*
ertion of his powers for self^^ireservntion. None <^ the general
laws of nature exclude particular exceptions. Human efibrts
may not greatly lessen the aggregate of mortality, nor extirpate
mat dkninish fuiy one mortal disease without a coaseqamt rise
i* some other; they oan howerer aiter the seai of Us diitribu^
lion, confine the ritnge o^ a violent and agonising disorder,
and thus favour the rise of a milder substitute ;-«-they can open
niMserous ehanoes of life to individual suffisrers, extend its
vdue iti the •fgte^itt and mightily influrace the whole
conditien of society.
One cnnnot but aiimiiB the merdftri wisdom which variom
IJsfif in the means of ^aA display r-^-^tbe load of suflbriog is
thus not permitted constantly to fidl on die samn age and sex^
bnt is distributed by a rule of c<mipensation and equality over
the whnle- range of human life. The law, moreover, which by
the constant reign of mortal diseases forbids the miyority of
mankind to attain to a late old age, is the means of maintaining
a rapod s a c o essi o n of living beii^pi^ and of conducing to the
J09tk and vigour of the world's population. Should death
^ease from a land^ in the present constitution of the world,
while the propagation of mankind is unchecked, misery and
poverty would rapidly increase in an awful proportion. The
extinction of the few beoomes a means of the greater well*
being of the many who survive.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
146 I>R. BLACKMORB ON THB RISE AKD
A survey of the poeitive ratio in which mortality is inddent
on various ages discovers a system equally benignant^— *In
infancy nearly a third of mankind die— in early chOdhood,
from the age of two to five years, a ftm^A-— 4n die second stage
of childhood, or from five to ten years of age, only a twenty^
third — in youth, from ten to twenty years, a twenty^sevmth —
in early manhood, or from twenty to thirty, a Jburteenth — in
middle or mature manhood, from thirty to forty, a tenth —
in late manhood, from forty to fifty, a mnth — ^in early old age,
from fifty to sixty, more than a tenth — in middle old age, from
sixty to seventy, not an ekventh-^in late old age, one twenty^
sixth.
In the first twenty years of life the proportion of deaths to
the general mortality is 1 : 2 • 12 ; in the next twenty, it is
1:6.3; in the third twaity years, 1:16,7!*
Herein are the vestiges of an admirable protecting Provi-
dence, which offers to the hand of death in larger numbers the
least useful and least expensive members of the population, at
a period when fewer relations and more confined faculties
make the connexion of those devoted ones with the living
world less indispensable, and therefore their loss more toler-
able ; at a period, too, when their departure hence is a certain
pledge of their passage to a better state, while the more
necessary and precious members of the community are diel-
tered from the mortal dart.
The aspect of death as a HtdrAi the excision of one of
whose heads is instantly succeeded by a new one, is awfully
impressive. Yet the contemplation of mortality as regulated
* This estimate is derived from the London bills for nine years ; bow ftu*
it expresses the relatlYe mortality of these portions of lifs^in the general popu-
lation, the author hw no means of ascertaining.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DEOLINB OF MOKTAL DISEASES. 147
by a determmate controUing Proiridence whose administration
18 eqoal and kind^ beneath which the fortunes of men are so
connected and campeHsaied that the decease of one person
augments the chances of life for another, greatly mitigates
the sad impression from the constancy of the reign of death;
and it should strengthen man's acquiescence in his destiny by
its appeal to the sentiment of patriotism as well as of religion.
The Genius op Medicine himself cannot dry up the bitter
waters of mortality : the mortal poison is being endlessly
changed with every change of age and season. This constancy
amid mutation should teach man that he lives by the will of
a Supreme Power; it should become to him an unceasing
stimulus to mutual succour, as it creates inexhaustible scope
for his sympathy ; it should place a potent check on human
passions, and supply omnipotent motives to sober living. Death
cannot cease to reign coeval with the existence of man in a
fallen world : no mortal disease however is invincible, and the
hope of arresting human sufferings is unlimited.
Filially, a period and a state are approaching when it shall
no more be said,-*-^/ am sick:** for **there shall be no more
fkaihr
Digitized by VjOOQIC
IJB
DB. BLACKMOBS ON TBS BI0X AMD
APPENDIX.
A View of the Mortality at Plymouth, which has been
obtained from the Register of Buriak in the parish of Saint
Andrew, for the inspection of which I am indebted to my
friend the Rererend John Hatchard ; and from that of the
Ptoish of Charles, which Mr. Rickard, the Parish Clerk, has
presented to me.
I
Sl
I
i
■s
k
II
u
M
11
11
SSPH
fM set
est
IS9
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fU
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68S
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9t
068 ^OS
S8
sss
ss s;
S3 S3
;S
••• SS
;8 S«
;s ss
i9 9S SS 8S S
SS; 9$ 83 7S
i3 SS 98 98
98 SiS 88 SS
Digitized byCjOOQlC
raBQLINB 09 MORTAL DISBASlti.
TABLE II.
149
The Months pUioed in the
of their greater Mortality,
MOlfTat.
JCUMBBB
or
DBATHB.
June
918
May
904
AngVt
180
July
188
Mareh
186
Fehmary
186
January
181
April
174
September
17t
October
167
December
1A6
MoTember
150
8l[|n0QI Zfl PIOQ
2 S S S
•» el Qi ^
I
49|Jin5 leiJin^
XOTBB OH THB Pimvr THRU VABLBf .
and winter, tiie greiftest ^ttqparity ezisti hi the mortality of the
two pariahee. Charlea' parish i
I peeoliarly lenient in the mortality of the
i In St. Andrew^ is tfMi
r; the least Is the
Tlie most mortal a
winter*
In Charles*, the sommer Is the most mortal; the least «o Is the i
In winter, the greatest disparity subsists in the mortality of the male and
fooale; in the antnmn the least*
In summer is the highest mortality in both seses; In aMnm the least.
In May and Jtme was the BMoimam of mortality In both seams; In Noran-
ber and December the least. In Febnmry and Oetober there was the greatest
disparity in the mortdity of the male Mid taile ; k Septomber and Janiary the
least.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
15D
DR. BI.ACKMOItB ON THB RISE AND
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Digitized by VjOOQIC
DBGUXE Of MORTAL DISEASES.
161
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Digitized by VjOOQIC
laS WL BLACKMOKE OH THE KIBB AMD
The first table, when c<»npared with a similar one drawn up
by Dr. WooUcombe for the years 1799 to 1804, exhibits a
remarkable change to have taken place in the relative mor-
tality of the seasons of late year% in this town* Then, the
wmiers were severe, and pre-eminent in mortality ; now, they
are mild, but the sprmg andsmmer have been pregnant with
fatal epidemics. This accords with» and is explained by, the
recent increase in the mortality of particular diseases stated in
the essay at Table IX.
The above tables demonstrate that the spring and autumn
are relatively more mortal to the female, but the winter and
sunimer to tiie male sex. The pre-eminent mortality of the
nmmer seasoH^ and the disparity in the deaths in the la$t and
the first quarters of the year, as exhibited in Tables I and III,
is very remarkable. From Table III the combined mortality
of the winter and spring is such as to be exactly equal with
that of the summer and autumn ; which fact may be supposed
to confirm popular opinion on the salubrity of this climate in
the cold portion of the year; and encourages the resort of
invalids to this part of the kingdom.
What can explain the singular disparity of the deaths in the
male and female sex during the period of infancy, as seen in
Table IV?
It is deserving of notice, that in the Parish of Charles the
mortality in children is relatively greater than in the Parish
of St. Andrew; and this fact demonstrates the importance <^
a chtmge of situation among the remedies to be adopted for
the diseases of this portion of the community in that part of
the town.
XOTB OX TABLB IT.
The ratioi ginn In TU>lt tU of the onay aro obtained from tUftabler
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DECLINfi OF MORTAL DISEASES. I&3
The length of this paper forbidB me to extend my remarks
on these tables. It is presumed that the aboye comments may
serve to point out the sort of interesting information to be
derired from the statistics of mortality, and to suggest
more copious obsenrations of similar import.
Plym0«tt, Jjprtf, 1899.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON THB CHARACTERS OF ABBOTIA, A NRW GENUB
BELONGING TO THE FAMILY HISTERIDJS, WITH DESCRIP-
Tiom OF TVrO SFSCIBB; BT WILUAH ELFORD LBACH, M. D.
F. R. 8. «e. HONORARY IdUBMBfiR OF 1SB PLYHOVTH INSTi-
Tuno^r.
ABBOTIA.
Corpus elongatmn, angustum, depressom, thoracis et
elytronm^ superficies conrexiiisciila.
Stemnm antice emarginatum.
Mandibnla se^nales ed«iitul8d
Palpi maxiUares setacei
-«*— . Utbialas filifinrmts.
Body^kmgtiled, siarr<m;» depressed^ with the surfiu^ «f
thorax and of the dytra, slightly ooBTeau
Stemtim, anteriorly notched
Mandibles equal, toothless.
Maxillary palpi setaeeovs
Labifd palpt^ItfonD.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
156 DR- LEACH ON TitE CHARACTERS
1. AbboHa paykulKana.
A. Corpore toto glaberrimo atro nitente: elytris externe,
striis externis perfectis, et duabus interioribus imperfeetis,
sculptis. Antennis pedibusque piceis; tibiis anticis et mediis
trispinosis; posticis uni-spinosis. Longitudo 0003 millime-
tronim*
Habitat in Greorgia America?.
Thorax lateraliter tenue, abdomiiie,extremitate posteriore
fortiter, stemoque lateraliter, tenuiter, pimctatum.
A. With the whole body very smooth, jet black shining ;
with the elytra sculptured externally with two perfect, and
with two imperfect striee; the antennae and the feet pitch
black; with the interior and middle pair of the tibiee three-
spined ; the hinder pair one-spined. Length 13^-12 of an inch.
Inhabits Georgia in America.
Thorax pnnctulated laterally, slighty; the extremity of
the abdomen strongly, and the sternum, laterally, slightly.
2. Abbotia Geargiana.
A. Corpore glaberrimo, aterrimo, nitente; elytris striis
tribus externis perfectis; et striis tribus internis imperfectis
'sculptis; tibiis anticis quatuor, mediis tribus, et posticis uni-
spinosis. Longitudo 1000 4| millemetrorum.
Habitat cum preecedente.
Thorax lateraliter tenuiter abdomine infra et ad apicem
posticum fortiter^ et stemuih lat^aliter tenuiter impresso
punctatis.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE ABBOTU, A NEW GENUS. 157
A. With the body very deep jet black, shining; with
the elytra sculptured ; three external perfect and three inter-
nal imperfect striee ; the anterior pair of the tibiee with four,
the niiddle with three, the hinder pair with one spine. Length
2^-12 of an inch.
Inhabits the same country with the preceding species.
Thorax, laterally slightly, the under part of the hinder part
of the abdomen strongly and the sternum laterally slightly
sculptured with impressed dots or spots.
I hare named this genus in honour of Mr. Abbot, a most
industrious collector of insects, and a very celebrated entomo-'
logical artist.
Both these species are in my collection in the British Museum.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
DESCRIPTION <Mr 80ilB mSW SntDGIBS Ot THB CLASS
MYRIAPODA; BY WILLIAM BLFORD IJBACH, M. D. F. R. S.fte.
nmORART MKMIBB OF TOB PLTMOUTfi INSTITUTION.
JULUB.
Jubu] Auctetam.
Corpus elongatum ; segmeDto ultimo abrnptissimo acumi-
nato. AntennaB sex articulatae capitis pagina superiore inserts;
articulo primo minimo ; secuudo subcouico elongato; tertio
paululum breriore, subconico latiore; quarto clayiformi;
quinto conico; sexto miuutisBimo cylindrico apioe truncato.
Pedes mediocres.
Body elongated with the last s^^ment rery abruptly acu-
minated.
Antennae six jointed, inserted in the upper marg^of the
heady with the first joint minute ; the second snbconic elong-
ated ; the third a very little shorter, subconic, broader; the
fourth club-shaped; the fifth conic; the sixth very minute,
cylindric with the apex truncated*
Feet moderately longer
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE CLASS MTRUPODA. ]00
IUOPU&
Euopus Leach.
Corpus cylindricum eloDgatuim aeg^ento ultimo int^^
fdbtuBO. Antennas septem articulatae ; articulo primo lato;
secundo, tertio, quarto, et quinto, fere eequalibus gradatim
clayatis ; sexto dayato, dava coniea, apice tnincaio ; 0q[>ti-
mo minutiflsimo conico.
Pedai loDgiauBU.
Body cylindric elongated, with the last segment entire^
obtuse*
AntennflB seven jointed, with the first joint broad ; the se-
cond, third, fourth, and fifth, nearly equal, gp^ually clubbed ;
the sixth clubbed ; the club conic, with its apex truncated ;
the seTenth very minute conic. . .
Feet very long.
MYRIAPODA.
1. Jubii triSmains.
J. Corpore hyaline olivaceo, brunneo, pallidissimo ; seg«
mentis lineolis tenmssimis longitudinalibus ; Dorso, linea
mediali ferruginea lineaque lateral! punctorum nigrorum
composita, notato. Capite lineis transversis tribus impressis
inter oculos medio latiore ; vertice, oris regione, mandibulis,
palpisque testaceis palUdis. Oculis atris. Longitude 2018
millemetrorum.
HMntat sub lapidibusi prope Nice, rarissim9t
J. with the body hyaline, very pale olive brown, with the
segments sculptured with very fine longitudinal lines. The
back laarked with one iwddle femiginous line, and abteral
Digitized by VjOOQIC
160 ^^- LEACH ON SOME NEW SPECIES
line, composed of black spots; the head with three impressed
transverse lines between the eyes, the middle one broadest ;
the vertex, the region of the mouth, the mandibles and the
palpi, pale testaceous, the eyes jet black. Length 8-12 of an
inch.
Found very rarely under stones, near Nice.
2. Julus aimatopus.
J. Corpore ceerulescente-nigro segmentis lineolis impresis,
longitudinalibussculptis; lateribus linea longitudinali nigro
punctulata azura, lineisque duabus nigris, segmentis infra
azuris, antennis, palpis, pedibusque sanguineis pallidissimis,
tarsis saturatioribus. Longitude 0040 millemetrorum.
Habitat in Alpibus maritimis sat frequenter sub lapidibus.
J. With the body blueish black ; the segments sculptured
with longitudinal impressed lines ; the sides with one longitu-
dinal azure line spotted with black, and with two other black
lines; the s^^ents, azure; the antennae, palpi, and feet, very
pale blood red ; the tarsi deeper colourai. Length 18-12 of
an inch.
Found in the Maritime Alps, frequently enough, under
stones.
3. Julus modestus.
J. Corpore hyaline; dorso purpurascente, lineolis longi-
tudinalibus sculptis, lineis tribus longitudinalibus puinctorum
atrorum compositis; uno dorsali, aliis lateralibus; lateribus
gciscis; capite glauco; oculisatris; antennis violascentibus
grisco annulatis.
Longitude 0015 millemetrorum.
Habitat sub lapidibus prope Villa Franca rarissime.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
\^
OF THB CLA88 MYRUPODA. 101
J. With the body hyaline; Ae back scutptured with rery
fine loDgitadinal lines; with three longitudinal lines composed
of black spots, one dorsal, the other lateral ; sides grey ; head
glaucous; eyes jet black, Lragth 11-12 of an inch. *
Found rery rarely near Villa Franca.
4. ^Juhts aummlahu.
J. Corpore purpurascente, s^^entis postice luteis, lineolis
longitudinalibus impressis s6ulptis ; oculis atris ; antennis
nigris; pedibus riolascentibus.
Longitude 00042 millemetrorum.
Habitat sub lapidijbus prope Nice vulgatissimus.
J. With the body purplish, s^^ents behind luteous (clay
coloured,) sculptured with longitudinal impressed lines; eyes
jet black ; antennse black ; feet pale violet. Laigth 10-12 of
an inch.
Found under stones near Nice^ very common.
5. Juhm piceiu.
J. corpore piceo fflaberrimo nitidissimo ; segmentis stridis,
tenuissimis longitiulinalibus inqiresBis seulptis ; antennis
piceis ; oculis atris; palpis nigrescentibus 2 pedibus tostaceis,
unguibiisfiosok,
13. Segmentis lateraliler maculis ocraceis pallidissimisy
irr^pilaribus pictis.
Longitude 0060 millemetrorunh
Digitized by VjOOQIC
l^ DR. LEACH ON VARIOUS
Habitat in Alpibus secoDdariis, apud peninsulam St.
Hospice.
J, v/Ith the body pitch blacky very smooth and very
: \.-^ ; s« guieuts sculptured with very fine longitudinal im-
pitb^^ed lines; the antennee pitch black; eyes jet black; palpi
blackish ; feet testaceous ; nails fuscous brown.
Length 22-12 of an inch.
Found rarely in the secondary Alps, at the peninsula called
St. Hospice.
Eucpus Rissanianus.
E* corpore cameo pallido; seg^entis omnibus oblique
striolatis (striis postice gradatim increscentibus) postice, intense
ferrugineis; antennisfuscis; oculis intense ferrugineis: pedibus
griscofuscescentibus; appendiculismasculinis ferrugineo-atris
politis glaberrimis nitidissimis.
Longitudo 0053 millemetrorum.
Habitat in' Gallia Australia et in Italia, hortis, nemoribus
et sylvis hand infrequenter.
E. with the body flesh-coloured; all the segments ob-
liquely striolated (the striee gradually increasing behind) ;
behind intensely ferruginous; antennee fuscous ; eyes in-
tensely ferruginous ; feet grey inclining to fuscous ; the
masculine appendices ferruginous; jet-black, polished very
smooth, and very glossy.
Leng^ 2 inches.
This interesting species is found not uncommon in gardens,
grof es, and woods, in the south of France, and in Italy.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ZOOLOGICAL OENBRA . 163
SCX)RPIONIDA,
Chelifer bicolar.
C. Thorace dorsoque oliFaceo-brunneis segment is omni-
bus postice, olivaceo-viridibus pallidis; abdomine pallidiore;
pectore, mandibulis, manibusque intense ferrugin^is ; pedibus
posterioribus ferrugineis pallidis.
Longitudo 0004.
Habitat locis scopulosis prope Nice, rarius.
C. with thorax and back olive-brown ; all the segments
behind, pale olive-green ; abdomen paler ; breast, mandibles,
and hands intensely ferruginous; hinder feet pale ferruginous.
Length 2^-12 of an inch.
Found in rocky places near Nice, very common.
Scorpio wpestru.
S. Manubus, mandibulis, thorace, abdomine, caudaque
olivaceo-brunneis ; pedibus pallidioribus, brachiis antire
mammillatis ; carpo ad basin interne uni-denticulato ; cauda
articulo ultimo pallidiore spina apice ferruginea.
Longitudo 0019 millemetrorum.
Habitat inter scopulorum fissuras, et sub lapidibus propo
Nice vulg^tissimus.
S. with hands, mandibles, thorax, abdomt ' and tail, o*! •
brown; feet paler; arms anteriorly mammiilated; the wrist
at its base internally with one very small tooth ; the last joint
of the tail paler; apex of spine ferruginous. Length 8|-12
of an inch.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1^ DR. LEACH ON VARIOUS
Foand rery comnum in the fiarares of rocks and und er
stones near Nice.
ACTINIADA.
Oemu m^enomia.
Corpus cylindricum ad basin abrupte dilatatum.
Os nnllo modo prominens,
Tentacnlo in serie triplici disposita, angostia valde elong-
ata gradatim acuminata apicibus rotundatis obtusiunculis.
The body cylindric, abruptly dilated at its base.
The mouth not prominent.
The tentacules arrai^;ed in a triple series very much elong-
ated, gradually acuminated, their extremities rounded and
rather obtuse.
Anawmia vagans*
^•corp<Hretoto ettentaculishepaticispallidissimis»hyalinisy
translucidis; apicibus sttpiuspallidioribus.
Altitude 13 millemetronun; latitude 11 millemetrorum.
Habitat in maris Mediterranei littora, ad saxa adhferens,
at vagans.
The body and the tentacules rery pale liver-coloured,
transparent, translucid, with their [extremities generally paler.
Height 13 millemetres; breadth 11 millemetres.
Inhabits the rocky shores of the Mediterranean, adh^ing
to rocks, but very frequently shifting its quarters.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ZOOLOGICAL GENERA* 165
Gemu Seraphua.
Corpus cylindricamad basiii abrupte dilatatum.
Qs prominens.
Tentacula in sarie quadruplici disposita, moderatim elong-
ata, gradatim acuminata, acuta.
The body cylindrical, abruptly dilated at its base.
The mouth prominent.
The tentacules arranged in a quadruple series, moderately
elongated, gradually acuminated and acute.
1. Seraphisa Kneata.
S. corpore purpureo cameo, lineis longitudinalibusalbidis
4istantibus, disco et ore cameis lineis divaricantibus eburneis
oraatis; tentaculis cameis pallidissimis, hyalinis ad bases pur-
pureis, annulis violascentibus et ebumeis altematibus omatis.
Altitude 5 centimetrorum ; latitude 18 millemetrorum.
Habitat in maris Mediterranei littora scopnlosa ad saxa
adhserens.
The body purple, inclining to flesh-colour, ornamented
with longitudinal distant whitish lines; disk and mouth oma^
mented with ivory-white lines; tentacules very pale flesh-
coloured, transparent; their bases purplish, ornamented with
alternating pafe violet and ivory-white rings.
Height 5 centimetres ; breadth 18 soillemetres.
inhabits the rocky shores of the Mediterranean, adhering
to rocks.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
166 DR. LEACH ON VARIOUS
2. Seraphisa modesta.
S. colore' hepatico pallido, cameo maculato; disco, ore et
tentaculis hyalino, pellucidis yiolascentibus annulis purpur-
ascentibus ornatis.
Magnitudo onmino proecedentis.
Habitat in maris MediterraneaD littora scopulosa ad saxa
adhferens.
Body pale liver-coloured, spotted with flesh-coloar ; disk,
mouth, and tentacules hyaline, pellucid, pale yiolet-coloured
ornamented with purplish rings.
The same magnitude as the preceding.
Inhabits the rocky shores of the Mediterranean, adhering
to rocks.
MOLLUSCS GASTEROPODA.
1. Succinea elegans.
S. testa elongata, glabro, nitida succinea, anfractubus
transversim undulatim striolatis. Animale nigro-grisco com-
mixto notato ; capite ruguloso flavescente nigro punctulato ;
pelli pedeque grisco-flavescentibus nigpro punctulatis ; oculis
atris.
Habitat in paludibus prope Nice vulgatissima; magnitudo
onmiuo S. Mulleriana.
S. with the shell lengthened, smooth glossy amber-coloured,
with the whirls transversely undulately striolated ; the animal
marked with gTey mixed with black ; head roughisb, yellowish
punctulated with black; eyes jet black.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ZOOLOGICAL GENERA. 167
Inhabits marsheB near Nice : is very common, an4 exactly
the size of S. Mulleriana.
2. Succmea paiula.
S. teste yalde elongata ventricosa globanitidasuccinea;
anfractubus transversim undulatim striolatis; apertura valde
patula. Animal, dorso, pede, pallio, tentaculisque glaucis
intensis nigro pnnctnli^^
Habitat in paludibus prope Nice rarissima.
S. with the shell very much elongated, ventricose smooth
glossy, saffron-coloured ; with the whirls transversely undu-
lately striolated ; the aperture very open, (patulans ;) animal
with the back, foot, mantle, and the tentacules deep sea-green
pimctulated with blackish.
Very rare in the marshes near Nice.*
ANNELICIDiE-
. Sangtiisuga Meridionalis.
S. corpore atro-purpureo, lineis duabus longitudinalibus
croceis nigro punctulatis ; notato lateribus olivaceis maculis
punctisque atris maculatis; abdomine olivaceo.
Habitat in fluviis meridionalibus lente fluentibus; in fluvio
Var hand infrequenter capta.
' Longitudo 1 100 millemetrorum.
S. with the body jet black purple; marked with two lon-
gitudinal saffron lines punctulated with black; the sides olive
green spotted with jet black spots and dots ; abdomen olive.
* I have leeQ but three liying fpedmens.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
168 lAL LEACH ON VARIOUS
Found m those rirers m die soadi of Europe that flow
slowly; not unfrequently taken in the Var.
Length 44-12 of an inch.
ERrudo bicokr.
H. dorso rindescente, lineis duabns longitudinalibiis cro-
ceis, notato, abdomine croceo sordido.
Longitude 0016 millemetrorum.
Habitat in paludibus et stagnis, prope Nice*
H. with the back greenish marked with two longitudinal
saffron lines ; abdomen dirty saffton.
Found rery commonly in the marshes and pools near Nice.
SPONGIADiS:.
Ta$n€iga8traJ^
Corpus elongatum, antice, posticeque rotundatum, liberum
ante aperturam, abrupte acuminatum ciliatum, postice clausum
rotundatunu V entriculis corporis longitudinis postice augustis ;
superficies interna cellulisnumerosisovatisexcaTatisscuIpta;
parietates spongiosee.
Tamrigoiira Me£ientmea.
T. corpore g^isco ruguloso, villosulo; ciliis anticis mar-
garitaceis irridescentibus ; Tillis grisds* Longitude 0040 -
millemetrorum.
Habitat mari Mediterranea in Villa Franca sinv^ vulgi^
T. with the body grey, roughushy slightly villose ; the
anterior cilice pearly, and irridescent.
Found abundantly in the bay of Villa Franca.
* Tofuloy^ cellttis e( yoot^ venter.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON TWO NBW GENERA OF C»U8TACB0U8 ANIMALS,
DISCOVERED BY MR. JOHN CRANCH IN THE EXPEDITION
TO CONGO.
MALACOSTRACA.
Odontorynchus.*
Thorax antice rostratus; rofitrum acuminatum utrinque
alternatim dentatum. Lamellee caudales mag^e elongatas
foliaceffi poetice latiores apice rotundate. Pedum par anticum
mintttuni, bifidum ; secundum longius bifidum; tria postica
multo largiora, simplicia. Antennse interiores bifidee ; articulo
secundo multiarticulato ; exteriores acuminate paululum
longiores multiarticulato.
Thorax anteriorly rostrated ; rostrum acuminated on each
side alternately dentated. Caudal lamelle large, slongated,
foliaceous behind broader, with the extremities rounded.
Anterior pair of feet minute bifid ; second pair longer bifid ;
hinder pair much larger simple.
Interior antennae bifid ; the second joint many jointed.
* wiovTwdiic dentatu8| et pvyxoQf rostrum. It beloogi to the
fiunily Sqailladn.
X
Digitized by VjOOQIC
170 DR. hEAiia ON TWO NEW GENERA
Odanioeerus hUescens.
O. Corpore toto, antennis, pedibus, lameUisque caudali-
bus luteis.
Longitudo 0062 mellemetrorum.
Habitat ad Gruiiie» littonu
O. With all the body, antennc, feet and caudal laknetttt
clay-coloured.
Length 23-12 of an inch.
Inhabits the shores of Guinea.
Prionorhynchns.*
Thorax convexus, elongatus, antice rostratus; rostrum
utrinque ultra medium serratum ; postice filamento comeo
acuminato largo instructus. Pedum par anticum tenue bi-
£dum acuminatum ; paria quatuor, postica equalia unguibus
trifidis instructa. Lamells caudales lequales ovatae foliacee.
Oculis magnifi.
Antennffi interiores bifidee, multi-articulatee acuminata;
exteriares, longiores acuminats multi-articulatae.
Thorax convex^ elongated, anteriorly rostrated ; rostrum
on each side beyond the middle^ serrated ; with a long homy
acuminated filament behind. First pair of feet acuminated*
slender and bifid ; the four hinder parts equal with trifid
nails ; caudal lamellae equals oval, foliaceous; eyes large.
Interior antennae bifid, many jointed, acuminated ; ex-
terior antennse ; longer, acuminated, many-jointed.
* ircf/i-)', FCtra, ef pvyyoc^ rostrum.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OP CRU8TACBOU8 ANIBfALS. 171
Prumorhjfnehus (^ranchiamu.
P. Tboface, rostroque gilvo aoro yariegatis ; filamento
corneo sangfuineo ; antennisy pedibus, abdomineque cameis
pallidis; oculis aureis.
Longitudo 002] millemetroniiii.
Habitat in JSfari Allastieo. JLat. 24''. IS'. Long. 19>.
61; Ift".
P. WiHi the thorax and beak carnation variegated with
gold ; the horny filament deep Mood red, the antenn®, feet
and abdomen, pale red ; eyes golden.
Length 9|-12 of an mch.
Found in the Atlantic ocean. Lat. 24^ 13 • Long. 18^.
M'. IB^. on the surface of Ae sea.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON THREE NEW GENERA OF THE lifALACX>8TRA0BOU8
CRUSTACEA, BELONGING TO THE FAMILY SQUILLAD^ BT
WILLUM ELFORD LEACH, M. D. F. R. S. &e. HONORARY
MEBIBER OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
Opithioeheinu.*
Antennse duse elongatse, quatuor-articulatsB ; articulo
ultimo acuminato multiarticulato tertioy externe filamentis
duabus aequalibus acmninatis multarticulatis instmcto*
Pedum paria tria antica simplicia ®qualia ambulatoria,
par quintum laius compressum, manu uni-dactylo interne
denticulata, instructum.
Antennas two, elongated, four-jointed; the last joint acu-
minated many-jointed ; the third joint externally furnished
with two equal acuminated many jointed filaments.
Feet, the three anterior pair simply formed for walking,
the fifth pair broader compressed, furnished with a mono-
dactyle hand internally denticulated.
Opithiocheirus Chryiophthabmu.
O. Thorace antennis, pedibus et oculorum pedunculo,
croceo testaceomarmoratis; oculisaureis,pupillonigre6cente;
abdomine segmentis postice, et manus aspectu intemo, aureis.
* oTTcdfoci posticos, et \eip^ menui*
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THS MALAC08TRACE0US GRUSTACBA. 178
Longitudo 0042 millemetronim. ^
Habitat in mari Atlantico prope fluvii Congoensis os.
O. With the thorax, antennas and peduncle of the eyes
marbled with saffron and testaceous (clay colour;) the eyes
golden, with a black pupil ; the same s^^ments of the abdomen
behind, and the internal a^ect of the hand gulden.
Length 17-12 of an inch.
Inhabits the Atlantic ocean near the river Congo.
UnterocheirHB.*
Antenne quatuor interne bifida; setas acuminatsB multi«
articulatae ;. extemae longiores acuminatiB multiarticulats.
Pedum paria quatuor, anteriories asquales, acuminata,
pedipalporum exteriores (qui etiam sunt acuminati) multo
longiora, par quintum latius coropressum manu uni-dactylo
inermi instructum.
Antennas four, the internal ones bifid ; the sets acumi-
.nated many-jointed; external ones longer, acuminated, multi«
articulated.
Feet; the four anterior pair equal acuminated, much
longer than the exterior pedipalpi (which are also acuminate)
the fifth pair broad compressed, furnished with a mono-dactyle
unarmed simple hand.
Usterocheinu Macropocailium.f
U. Thorace, antennis, oculis, pedipalpis, pedibus abdomine-
* if^fpos poBterior, et yiip^ maniu.
t fiaxpoc^ longus, ei itoiccXiok, abdomen.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
174 i>R- L&ACH ON Tman nsw qkmuu
que teslaceo croceo-testacM sondido i wrkga tk;^ CMSHkruni
pupillae nigrescentes: abdomine dongato aug^usto ooarctato^
gegmeiitis postice, atris.
Longitudo 0055 mfllemetromm.
HabiGeit in mari Atlantico ; fuco iiailanti*adbaeir^i8.
U. With the thorax^ antennae^ eyes, pedipalpi, feet and
abdomen testaceoiik variagated widi dusky safihm testaeeons,
jet black ; the pupil of the eyes blackish ; the abdomen elong-
ated narrow contracted ; the segments behind black.
Length 2 inches.
InhabitB the Athnlic, adheraig to faons.HBlaiw.
2. Usimtooheitm BwmhfpoeaHiom.
U. Thorace, antennisqne brunneis; pedibus abdomineque
pallidioribus; abdomine brevissimolatissimo.
Longitudo 0029 millemetrorum.
Habitat cum praocedente.
U. With the thorax and antennsB brown ; the feet and ab-
domen paler ; the abdomen very short and very broad.
Length 13-12 of an inch.
Found with the preceding.
Antenna quatuor, eloi^;«|89 trifidsy ;BHilti ^acticnlataB ;
apice exteme ciliat».; fihm^titutt . inferiusy soperiqte jongiore
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THB IfALAOOSTRACEOUS CRUSTACEA. 175
rnterne cilktumi, exteriores bam filiformi ; lamella ovata
comprena ciliata, terminati ; filamentula ad basin externe
instnicta*
Pedum paria duo antica mono-dactylo anteriore minore
augustiose : paria tria postica, aequales anguibus arcuatis
iostrucla.
AuteiuiiB four elongated, trifid, many^jointedy with the
apex externally ciliated ; external ones with a filiform base
terminated with an ovate compressed ciliated lamella, furnished
at its base externally with a very minute filament,
Ztq^hanusa Smithiana.
Z. Thorace antennis, oculorum pedunculo, pedibns abdo-
mineque hyaline, ocraceo florescentibus.
Longitude 0064 millemetrorum.
Habitat in mari Atlantico, fuco natanti adhasrens.
Z. With the thorax, antennae peduncles of the eyes, feet
and abdomen and hyaline, ochre yellowish.
Length 2 inches.
Inhabito the Atlantic ocean adhering to fucus natans.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON THE GENUS MEOALOPHTHALMUS, A NEW AND VERT
INTERESTING GENUS, COMPLETELY PROVING THE THEORY
OF JULES-CSSAR 8AVIGN Y TO BE CORRECT ; BY WILLIAM
ELFORD liEACH, M. D. F. R. S. &e. HONORARY MEMBER OF
THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
MEGALOPHTHALMUS.
Antennee omnino fere ut in genere Palamonide.
Oculiy maximi subgloboei ; pupillae reticulata^.
Pedum, paria prima, secunda, tertia, quarta, quinta et
sexta, consimilia natatoria; par 'septimum stirpe interne com-
pressa plus complicata ; pedipalpum fere yerum efibrmans ;
par nonum stirpe interna compressum pedipalpum verum
efformat; stirpe externa brevissima apice bifida.
LamellsB caudales yalda inaequales.
Antennae resembling in almost all respects the genus
Palamon.
Eyes very large; subglobose, the pupils reticulated.
Feet;'the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth pair
alike in form and size, and formed for swimming; the seventh
pair with the internal footstalk compressed, half formed into
Digitized by VjOOQIC
MEGALOPHTHALMUS. 177
a pedipalpus; the eighth pair with the external stirps com-
pressed, more Gomplicated, forming almost a true pedipalpus;
the external footstalk is very short, with its apex very short
and bifid.
Caudal lamellsB very unequal.
Megalophthalmus Fabricianus.
ilf. totus hyalinus fulvescens; oculorum pupillis aterrimis;
abdominis segpmentis supra stellatim sculptis. .
Longitudo 0015 millemetrorum. .
Cancer pedatusy OMonitf jPoirtciiy ^oipi. Orten. 248, iVb.
221.
Habitat in mari Boreali vulgatissimus.
ilf. wholly hyaline fulvescent; the pupil of the eyes jet
black; the abdominal segments sculptured with strlee forming
a star.
Length 7-92 of an inch.
Found abundantly in the nothern seas, especially on the
coast of Greenland, and in Baffin's bay.
I will now shew how the genus Megalophthalmus explains
the theory of Savigny, respecting the varioas functions per-
formed by the eighteen pair of legs, which he affirms, belong
to all the genera of the Crustacea Malacostraca Pedophthalmia.
In the majority of the genera the five anterior pairs of feet
perform the offices of locomotion, or of prehension ; and the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
178 DR. LEACH ON THE GENUS.
four hinder pain, diose of mandacatiou cur of carrying the food
to the mouth; whioh ia all the genera is funiidied with two
hard testaceous jaws.
This is the only genus in whidi the three pairs before the
fire hinder pairs perform the Amctions of locomotion; the
change in the three huider ones, from the fire pair of the
hinder ones is wo gradual, that his theory is in my opmion
satisfoctorily established; and may in all probability be more
fidly so, by the diseorery of some genus diat has not yet
been observed* I again state from my own obserMtion, that I
iMak his thsory stands on a fiiir base, and wants but little (if
any thing,) to confirm it;
Digitized by VaOOQlC
VL
ANTIQUARIAlf HfYESTIGATIONS IN THE FOREST Of
DARTMOOR, DEVON; BY SAMUEL ROWE, B. A. MEMBER OF
THE PLYM0U1« INSTITUTION.
The extmrnve tract ci hilly country iriiich occnpiei so
large a portion of the central districts of DeTonshire, has long
possessed an invidious cdebrity under the name of Dartmoory
as a reg^ion whose wUdiiess and sterility have grown into ^a
proverb and a bye-word.'' This circumstance, however sati^
&€torily it may account for the slight and g^ieral notices
which have been usually bestowed upon the Forest of Dart-
moor by topographers and historians, will by no means justify
the neglect of the antiquary ; since the very barrenness which
deters others from any investigation in a region so unpromisiDg,
often secures the most favourable field for his researches.
Finding in the mountains and morasses of Dartmoor the
most authentic vestiges of a period of chronology, of which so
little that is authentic remains to us, I cannot bring myself to
Digitized by VjOOQIC
190 RB^« S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
join in the lamiiitations* oyer the sterility of the distrtctr
which the mention of its name usually calls forth. Grand as
they are in themselves, the hills and tors of Dartmoor acquire
additional interest as the guardians and preservers of relics,
which in more accessible, and more attractive spots, would
have shared the fate of too many of their kindred, and dis*
appeared under the tool of the workman. Such tracts of
country afford still some shelter from the various modes of
destruction, arising from multiplied population and increasing-
conunercial speculations, which have pursued the vestiges of
past ages from one retreat to another, like the antient Britons
retiring before successive invaders, until the mountainous
districts of the western and south-western parts of the king-
dom afford them the only protection. In these districts,
therefore, the antiquary naturally looks for the vestiges of
this people and their times; andasmany of the most interesting
relics are in hourly danger of spoliation, the notices in the
following paper have been collected and published, with the
hope that some may escape impending destruction, and that
others may be preserved from that oblivion which appears to
endanger the very memory of their existence*
<
Of almost all the relics of Druidical antiquity, the moorland
districts of Devonshire afford specimens, which, g^enerally
spiking, have been most imperfectly and unsatisfactorily
noticed by antiquaries. Cornwall has had more justice in
the accurate and laborious notices of Borlase, who has care-
fully enumerated the relics of that county ; — ^but our Risdon,
in mentioning the curiosities of Dartmoor, records only three
remarkable things : — viz. the Stannary Parliament seats on
Crockern Tor, Childe of Plymstock's tomb, and Wistman's
* On the ieoDlrary the tpostrophe which the bills of D«rtiiioor call forth is
lliat of WoTdswurth—
Hall vsaf^es of antient mould,
And ye that guard them, moontaios old I
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INVESTIOATIdNS (N DARTMOOR. IRI
wood. Yet on the moor and within i^ precincts, are to be
found examples of the sacred circle — ^avenues — the crom-
lech — ^tbe kistvaen — the rock idol — ^rock-basin— ^-monumental
pillar — the cairn, or barrow— dwellings and track-ways.
Of these several relics of the olden time, I proceed to give
some notices collected from personal observation, made during
the summers of 1827 and 1828, by the following members of
the Plymouth Institution: — Mr. Henry Woollcombe, Major
Hamilton Smith, Mr. John Prideaiix, and myself. The fol-
lowing paper, containing the results of our united researches
has been drawn up for publication in the Transactions of the
society, at the request of my esteemed coadjutors.
In the classification of Druidical antiquities, precedence
seems due to the Sacred Circle, both for the importance of its
object, and from the circumstance that sacred circles in other
places are usually ranked among the most interesting of such
relics. The sacred circle was evidently a rude patriarchal
temple, such as the genius of the people and of their religion
demanded, and for the construction of which the region sup-
plied ample and congenial materials. The accidents of nature
have more to do with the decision of matters of this kind than
we are usually free to allow. The colos8al architecture of
Egypt had its birth in the granite quarries of that country —
the bituminous plains of Babylon suggested the employment
of brick in the construction of the vast edifices of that gor-
geous city. The granite tors of Cornwall and Devon in like
manner, furnished materials for the apparatus of Druidical
worship, abundant in supply, and suitable in form and quality;
as to form, sublime from their rudeness and vastness ; and as to
durability, imperishable as the hill from whence they were
raised.
. Although the Druidical doctrines inculcated the opinion
that the Deity regarded not the worship which was paid to
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182. REV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
him in temples^ whose canopy was less comprehensiTe and
sublime than the expanse of heaven ; they held it indispensable,
that certain spots should be dedicated to his peculiar service :
and so profound was the respect with which the dogmas of
this extraordinary priesthood were regarded, that they appear
to have had nothing more to effect for the preservation of
their sanctuaries from violation, than to mark their limits by
some well defined boundary — a boundary which should denote
the extent of the sacred area without obstructing the view
of the rites and ceremonies therein performed. This object,
which the Hellenic nations accomplished by celebrating their
sacred rites in front of their temples and beneath their porti-
coes, the Druids attained by means of a circular fence of
unwrought granite masses, rude from the neighbouring tor.
Such are the sacred circles found on Dartmoor, in a state as
might be expected more or less perfect. They are of various
dimensions, and constructed of moorstone blocks of irregular
shapes, and by no means uniform in size. Taking a general
view of monuments of this class in our island, some antiquaries
have fixed the number of stones as varying from twelve to
twenty-seven ; and state that they are more frequently found
of the former number than of any other ; this conjecture,
however, seems to be much at variance with conclusions
founded on actual observation. We have found them con-
sisting often, eleven, twelve, fifteen, twenty-five, and twenty-
seven stones. The size of the stones varying from eighteen
inches in height to five feet. The circumference of the circle
varies from twelve yards to one hundred and twenty, which is
the size of the Grey Wethers, the largest yet discovered on
the moor. ^
The sacred circle sometimes has a cairn or kistvaen within
the inclosure-Hsometimes is found in connexion with avenues —
sometimes in connexion with others — and in one instance it
contains two concentric circles within its circumference. This
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INY£STIOATIONS IN DARTMOOR. ]g3
defleripti<Hi of circle is at once digtinguiahed from the hut
circle^ or ruined dwelling, by the position of the stonet
composing it, which are always set up at mtervals of greater
or less extent; whereas the hut circles have the stones set
as closely together as the nature of the constructioii would
permit.
The most striking of the sacred circles are those near Sitta*
ford tor in the centre of the moor, and that on Gidleigh
conmion. The former are known to the moormen by the
name of the Grey Wethers ;- and are two circles, whose cir-
cumferences almost touch each other. They were originally
constructed of twenty«fiye stones each ; nine remain erect in
one, and seven in the other. These masses have been selected
with care, being slabs, tolerably level in the upper edge; the
largest is fallen — ^it is four feet nine inches wide, less than a
foot thick, and must have stood about five feet high. Diameter
of both circles, one hundred and twenty feet.
The Gidleigh circle consisting of stones, which are for the
most part pointed, presents a very difierent aspect from the
Grey Wethers. They are thirty-seven in number, ten of
which are fallen. The highest of those in their original posi«
tion, is eight feet above the ground ; the medium height of the
lorg^ number ia about four feet and a half, the smallest stone
is three feet. Diameter of the circle, ninety feet.
The avenues* or parallel lines of erect stones appear to have
excited little attention, yet the peculiarity of their appearance
connot fail immediately to strike a spectator. They are mnmd^
timeA found singly, and sometimes in pairs, but always in
connexion widi other British relics^ and most oommonly with
Idle sacred dorcle.
* The word ovejNM it not tltoftthsr flstigteetory, bnt wo are tl a lo« for
a aoiodoNripttvo tons.
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184 REV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
These ancient erections when near idtreams were probably
intended for the procession of the consecrated boat; in situ-
ations remote from waters, it is more probable that they were
constructed for gymnastic performances in connexion with the
celebration of religious worship.
The largest and most perfect relic of this class is in the
ancient British village, near Merivale bridge. Here is a piiir of
avenues parallel to each other, one hundred and five feet apart,
rnnningeast and west; the longest one thousand one hundred
and forty-three feet, the shortest seven hundred and ninety-
two feet. The btones of which they are formed are scarcely
two feet above the ground, placed at irregular distances, but
generally about three feet and a half apart. The shortest
terminates in a circle, and the longest has a circle at mid-leK^;tb.
The shortest at its east end, has a stone of larger dimen-
sions; and in the other avenue opposite to it, is a corresponding
block, although in this it seems at a distance from the termi-
nation of its avenue. The western half of this avenue is divided
at mid-length by a higher stone, and ends with two stones *now
recumbent.
A similar pair of avenues, but not so extensive in their phuf,
is found in connexion with other similar antiquities on the brook
side, below Black tor. The stones there employed in the
construction, are two feet and a half high. A stream forms the
western termination of both of these avenues, the southern is to
be traced about one hundred and eighty feet, and the northern,
which is much more perfect and distinct, three hundred. They
are forty feet apart, aind run parallel to each other, due east
and west, and each is terminated at the east end, by a circle
thirty feet in diameter, inclosing a cairn. The stones at the
head of the avenues as in the former example, being of lai^ger
dimensions than the others.
In both these instances the avenues run east and west; but
Digitized by VjOOQIC
IXVBSTIOATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 185
others are found in the direction of north and south. A
single avenue of this kind occurs on Challacombe down, three
hundred feet in length; — another on Gidieigh common, four
hundred and two feet in length, and four feet and a half in
breadth; the latter is formed in connexion with a singular set of
concentric circles. In this locality is another pair of parallel
avenues in the same direction, in which many of the stones are
three feet and a half high, of a triangular shape, the points
forming a very acute angle. It is probable that a considerable
portion of the eastern avenue has been destroyed, as only one
hundred and twenty-three feet of it can be traced, while the
other can be followed to an extent of four hundred and thirty-
two feet.
Of all our Druidical monuments, purely artificial, the
Cromlech is that which is the most striking in appearance, and
the most eminently characteristic of the age to which such
monuments are usually assigned. The finest and perhaps the
only perfect specimen in Devonshire is at Shilston, in the
parish of Drewsteignton. The masses whereof it is constructed
have been selected, as adapted for the purpose in their natural
state, — ^no tool appears to have been passed upon them, — and
this absence of artificial preparation, contrasted with the
indication of great power exerted in the fabric, confers a
venerable rudeness on this singular and interesting relic.
The Drewsteignton Cromlech is formed of four stones ; viz.
three supporters and the quoit or impost. The impost is forty-
one feet in circumference, and in many parts is from two to
three feet in thickness. From these dimensions a notion may
be formed of the mass thus elevated on the supporters, the
lowest of which stancb five feet three inches above the surface,
the others being su^ciently high for a man to stand erect
beneath the massive canopy of the impost. This has an incli-
nation to the westward, which with a bevil in the same direction
gives to the surface of the impost a considerable slope.*
* Cromlechs are of two kinds. I. The Cromlech properly so called, consist-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
186 RC^- S- ROWE ON ANTIQUARUN
This is not only the finest and most perfect specimen in
Devonshire, but it is generally regarded as furnishing the sole
example of which our county can boast. Could this opinion
be established it would appear singular, if not anomalous, that
in a region where the other Druidical relics are so abundant,
this characteristic monument should so sparingly appear* In
the adjoining county of Cornwall we know they are numerous;
and the most cursory observer could not visit a single tor on
Dartmoor, without perceiving that a want of appropriate and
ready materials, did not stand in the way of their erection in
this chosen district. The supposition naturally arising from
these circumstances has been justified, in more than one
instance, by the discovery of monuments of this class hitherto
unnoticed. On Shaugh moor is one, which, if it be that noticed
by Polwhele, is mentioned by that author only to have its
claims disallowed ; but for reasons which a view of the crom-
lech will instantly show to be both inapplicable and groundless.
The quoit is doubtless supported in an unusual manner,
resting partly on a natural ledge of rock — but that stone itself
possesses every characteristic of the cromlech quoit, and
apparently remains in its original position. At Karn Boscawen
near Penzance, is a similar monument (figured in Borlase's
Antiquities,) where the quoit is partially supported by the
natural rock, as in the present instance.
In the antient ruined village at Merivale bridge, is a pros-
ingr of three upright stones and a quoit. II. Arkite cells, consisting of rude
-walls and single stones, eoTered with one quoit or four large stones. The
former of these appear to be altars, the latter mysterious cells In which the
arcana of religiouf worship were practised ; and inhunution was occasionally
allowed, or at least where human remains have been found. Drewsteignton
cromlech is of the first Idnd, where the ground beneath the stones could not
have been opened for burial without endangering tbtwhole structure — Catigem's
or Kit*8 Coty house, in Rent, is of the second. A third are Arkite temples,
resembling the second, but larger, and often withsereral chambers; such are
the Grottes des fen near Tours, and another near Rennes in France. They are
six feet high in the dear and foil forty feet in length ; and served for the greater
roysteries.^i^^o(€ 6y Mqjor C. H. SmitM,
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INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 187
trate cromlech. The quoit, ten feet six by five feet four inches,
has fallen from its three suppbrters, and remains in an angle of
45°. Natural circumstances would not satisfactorily account
for the present position of the stones ; the ground being nearly
flat the quoit could not have slipped from a higher spot into its
present site — nor are there, as on tors, numerous blocks of a
similar description promiscuously scattered around ; this is suf-
ficiently distinct in appearance to attract immediate attention.
In the same village is another conformation of four stones,
appearing like three supporters and a quoit, less decidedly
artificial, though bearing great resemblance to a prostrate
cromlech, wherein the quoit is of much larger dimensions, being
no less than sixteen feet in length, and nine feet eight inches
in breadth.
Below Furtor, near the Tavy head, is another fallen cromlech,
about a furlong from the eastern bank. Although surrounded
by scattered masses of granite, its distinction is sufficiently
marked. The quoit thirteen feet by five, remarkably regular
in shape, has fsdlen with its longest side to the ground, into
which it has partly imbedded itself; the base being overgrown
with luxuriant heather. The supporting slabs are crippled
under the quoit, and retain it in a position less inclined than
the former. These slabs are three, and three only — for there
are no similar masses so near, as to render the monument of a
doubtful character ; nor are there any appearances which would
induce the observer to refer it to natural circumstances. Its
site is one of the most secluded spots on the moor, apart from
any other relic of Druidical antiquity.
The Loo AN STONE and Rook iDOL,diough belongmg to the
class of Druidical antiquities, can boast so little, if any, artifi-
cial preparation, that in an enumeration of the present kind, they
will not long detain our attention. The celebrated specimen
of the first of these monuments, the Drewsteignton logan stone,
miirbt be rep<^tedly paosed, without exciting more curiosity
Digitized by VjOOQIC
-«9
Igg REV. 8. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
or attention, than any other fine granite mass in the bed of a
river. Advantage was doubtless taken by the Druids, of the
natural circumstances on which this rock was found, and its
motion might have been rendered subservient to the purposes
of superstition. On the application of considerable strength at
its east end, its motion is just perceptible.* But it is impossi-
ble to traverse the moor in any direction, without observing
many a block, which once might have been a logan stone, or
even now might be easily made to logg ; — so fentastical and
singular are the positions in which those masses are continually
found.
SimUar observations will apply to theRock-idoK "Moulded**
as they are, as Carrington sings,
'' Into a thousand shapes
Of beauty and of grandeur,*'
few are the tors which would not attract sufficient attention,
when pointed out to the adoration of an ignorant and supersti-
tious people. To g^ve any accurate notice of objects of this
class, would be scarcely less than to enumeratcf the principal
tors on the moor; or rather, it would be impossible in a classifi-
cation with which the imagination would have much more to
do than the judgment. Yet when we gaze upon such a mass
as Vissen Tor, grand and huge as it rises above the vale of
the Walkham, — or view such a singular pile as that of
Bowerman's nose, we can scarcely err in believing, that if the
Druids had their rock-idols, these must have held an important
station in their granite mythology. Bowerman's nose consists
of five layers of granite blocks, some of them severed into two
masses, others entire : the topmost is a single one. This singular
pile stands about thirty feet in height, and rising perpendicu-
larly from the brow of a rocky hill, is a conspicuous object,
and strongly recalls the rude colossal idols, which were found
by our navigators when they visited Easter Island.
^InSeptamber, L88S.
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INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 189
But none of these observations, here applied to the Logan
stone and rock idol, appear to bear upon the rock basin,
although some authors have attributed them to the formation
of nature, by the action of water, and from the decomposition
of some parts of the rock more than others. It seems extraordi-
nary however, that any one who has examined^ these singular
relics of antiquity, should advocate an opinion so devoid of the
confirmation of facts. Were the rock basins natural produc-
tions, why are they found so uniform in sizef Why are they
so frequently seen on those parts of granite masses less favour-
able than other parts to their natural formation f Their
situation is commonly on the highest spot of the loftiest pile
of the tor, very oflen near the edge of the block upon which
they are formed, — ^In many instances with a lip or channel to
convey the water over the edge of the mass, and generally
varying in diameter from twelve inches to thirty-six.
A very fine example, illustrating this general description of
the Dartmoor rock basins, occurs on the north end of the
topmost Great Mistor, one of the loftiest hills of the moor. The
basin is in a most perfect state, in form a circle, three feet in
diameter and eight inches deep. Its sides are perpendicular,
its bottom flat ; having a lip cut in the rock in its northern edge.
It would be most characteristically described as a pan excava-
ted in granite, and bears such evident marks of artificial
preparation as could not fail to convince an unprejudiced
inquirer.
That this rude and primitive species of basin formed part
of the apparatus of Druidism, there can little doubt remain ;
but the specific purpose for which they were constructed has
excited much inquiry, and no small controversy. The frequent
occurrenceof rock basins on the surface of logan stones, induced
Dr. Borlase to suppose that they were employed for the purpose
of regidating the motion of the logan stone, and of causing it
^^to move obsequious to the gentlest touch ;'' or ** to stand as
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190 REV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
fix'd as SnowdoD;'' so that the ordeal might exculpate or con*
demiiy according to the prirate intentions of the ministermg
Druid. This object he belieyes might be accomplished by
causing a certain quantity of water to be poured into, or be
withdrawn from, the basins, and thus the centre of gravity be
changed. But all logan stones have not basins; nor are they
found on logan stones in a majority of instances, being far
more numerous on other masses. The hypothesis that they are
formed on the loftiest tors for the purpose of obtaining water
for lustration, in a state freest from earthly pollution, is far
more probable, and derives strong confirmation firom the
situations in which they are so frequently found.
The Rock pillar, monumental column, maen or m^n, is also
found on Dartmoor. A striking specimen appears at the ancient
Merivale village ;* an unwrought granite shafi, of a tapering
brm, presenting a rude type of the obelisk, twelve feet high,
md eight feet in girth at the base. On Bair down is another
>f these primitive obelisks, twelve feet high; its general
character and dimensions being similar to the former.
Those who wish to derogate from the antiquity of these
nonuments, have pronounced them to be mere bound-atones of
comparatively modern date, to mark the limits of such divisions
as hundreds, parishes, manors, or commons. A slight inspec*
tion will, however, satidy an observer that this conclusion is
ill-founded ; for although some of the maens may have he&k
thus appropriated, as at Gidleigh, a marked distinction will be
perceived, when a known modem bound-stone is c<mipared
with one of those venerable obelisks.
It will be remarked that the antiquities hitherto mentioned,
have, more or less, decidedly a sacred or religious destinatiiHi*
* The maen of Merivale is in connexion with the aTennet, cairn, and
cromlech, as is evident on referring to the plan. I luppose It to be a gnomoii
to mark the mid-day moment.-— Note 6y Meyor C. H. Smith*
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INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 191
We now proceed to enumerate those which are of a civil or
military description ; viz. the Barrow or Caim» the Kistvaen,
the Beacon^ Huts, Pounds or Inclosures, and Trackways*
The Barrow and Cairn are too well known to require any
more than a passing notice, as the tombs, or sepulchral monu-
ments of the antient inhabitants of this island. Like the maen,
or rock-pillar, they are among the most ready and obvious
means, at the command of a simple and uncivilized people,* to
perpetuate the memory of any solemn or remarkable transaction.
THiere stones are not plentiful, and to be made easily available,
the barrowy or mound of earth has been resorted to; but those
on Dartmoor are chiefly cairns in the more limited sense, and
being very commonly placed on the summits of the highest
hills, became the chosen site for beacons — ^from which some of
the loftiest Devonshire mountains have acquired their appella-
tions, as Pen beacon. West and East beacon, and Cawson beacon.
Cawson is the highest land in Devonshire, its sununit being
more than one thousand seven hundred feet above the sea-level.
On this spot is a cairn ninety-one yards in circuit, which has
been opened in two places. No point could be chosen for the
site of a beacon, to alarm a wide extent of country, more
advantageous than this, which commands the surrounding
districts, as far as the shores of the English and British Chan-
nels. The great cairn at Three-barrow tor, which is entirely
composed of small stones, is one hundred and twenty yards in
circuit.
Sometimes the cairn has a kistvaen or small cromlech on
its summit, like Molfra cromlech, Cornwall. The kistvaen,
* The cairn or tnmiilas of stones was resorted to, as a perpetual record of
the treaty of reconcUiation and amity between Jacob and his father-in-law
Laban, and what is Tery remarkable, this cairn, which was called Mizpeh, the
heap qfwUnea, was accompanied 6y the monumental pillar ; and to this day,
calms are' foond wHh a colomnar stone in the centre.
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192 I^EV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
which may be described as a rudely formed sarcophagus, is
sometimes also found imbedded in the cairn. An instance of
this occurs on the top of Cawson ; where the cairn though not
large, is composed of large stones, and contains a kistvaen of a
rectangular outline, formed of granite slabs four or fi scinches
thick. Two comer slabs remain in an erect position, and are
joined as closely, and with as much precision, as the unwrought
material would permit; the remainder are more or less fallen,
and some appear to be wanting.
Kistvaens are also found in connection with the sacred
circle, but are more usually observed in a state which may be
described as simply placed^ i. e. independently of any other
relic. Examples of both these kinds occur on Archerton hilL
Sometimes they are found in groups as Golden tor, on the
brink of Blackabrook, placed around a rock basin. Their
general dimensions are three feet three inches long, two feet
wide, and two deep. A flat unwrought stone covers this cell,
and in the centre is around pit, from which, there is jgood reason
for supposing, a cinerary urn has been removed. This group
of tombs forcibly recalls the burial places described by Qssian.
Here then we have a Druidical cemetery ; and that, probably,
one where the ashes of the less distinguished dead found a
repository ; while the warriors and chieftain were honoured by
the enormous cairn or barrow, and the Druid slept his long
sleep beneath the massive cromlech, within the sacred circle.
The HUTS or dwellings of the antient inhabitants are to be
found in every part of Dartmoor, in a state generally very im*
perfect ; the foundation stones, and those forming the door jambs,
being all that remain of these dwellings, with few exceptions.
The huts are circular on the plan ; but are at once distinguish-
able from the sacred circle, which has been already described
as consisting of larger stones, placed with considerable intervals,
as in these the stones are set on th^r edge, and placed closely
together, so as to form a secure foundation for the superstruc-
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I
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 193
tare, whether that they were wattle,* turf, stone, or other
material. These yestiges strikingly illustrate the descriptions
which Diodorus Siculos and Strabo give of the habitations
of the Britons of their times. The former describes them as
"poor cottages constructed of wood and covered with straw ;"
the latter as "wooden houses, circular in form, with lofty
conical roofs.''
The foundation slabs above-mentioned, gpenerally stand
from eighteen to thirty inches above the surface. The door-
jambs in most cases higher, placed nearly at right angles to
the outline of the circle ; in a very considerable proportion of
examples the door faces the south* These hut circles measure
from. twelve to thirty feet in diameter; the most usual size
being about twenty-six feet, though some are found much
largper. The single foundation is most common, but some
have a double circle. A very perfect specimen of the antient
dwellings has been observed, and it is believed, for the first
time noticed as such, by Miss Dixon of Prince-town; a lady
whose industry and perseverance in investigating the antiquities
of Dartmoor have been as successful as unusual, and whose
kindness in pointing out this and other interesting relics merits
the most public acknowledgment. This venerable dwelling,
belonging to the most ancient class of domestic buildings in
the world, is found in the comer of a very remarkable inclosure
which is divided by irregular lines of upright stones. The
hut is in a state comparatively perfect, the upper part only
having fallen in. It appears to have been shaped like a
bee-hive, the wall being formed of large stones and turf, so
placed as to, terminate in a point. — ^The circumference is
twenty yards.
These huts have their counterparts still extant in the
diealings of the Orkneys, some of which, composed of stone
and turf, have the form of ovens or bee-hives; and others with
,* Jonctie cortice Tirgs. Otid.
A A
Digitized by VjOOQIC
194 REV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
•
a base of stone, consisting of two circles within each other,
have a superstructure of fir or pine poles converging to a
point, and covered with branches and heather. Both these
kinds appear to have existed in Dartmoor. All these huts
approach, with greater or less accuracy, to the circular fomu
With very few exceptions, these antient dwellings are found
in groups, either surrounded by rude inclosures, or unprovided
with this protection. On the banks of the Walkham, near
Merivale bridge, is a very extensive village, containing huts
of various dimensions, built on a hill sloping towards the
south-west. This village or town» appears to have been of
considerable importance, as there are found in it, the avenue,
the cromlech, maen and sacred circle. In this, as in many
other villages on the moor, regard seems to have been had to
a supply of water in the immediate vicinity ; and, generally
speaking, a preference appears to have been g^ven to a south
or south-western aspect. Near Littleford tor, is a group of
sixty-seven hut circles, and many more appear to have been
destroyed. Another village, scarcely less extensive, is near
Black tor, on the banks of one of the tributaries of the Plym.
The Cyclopaean inclosures, or Pounds, as they are called by
the moormen, frequently surround these antient towns. They
are either low walls of stones piled rudely together in a ridge-
like form, or belts of larger stones placed erect in the ground.
Their general form is circular, but some examples are elliptical.
Remains of habitations are in most cases found in these inclo-
sures, so that we may justly conclude that they were or^inally
constructed for purposes of security and defence.
Grimspound is by far the finest and most extraordinary of
all the relics of this class. Viewed from Hooknor tor, which
commands its entire area, it presents to the spectatcnr an object
of singular curiosity and interest. Its situatimi is on the N«
W. slope of Hamildown, bordering on the parishes of Manaton,
and Wid«comb« in the Moor. The wall or mound is formed
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. IS^
of mocHrstone blocks, rudely piled together^ but so large as
not to be easily displaced. The base of this mound extendS'
in some parts to twenty feet, but the average height of any
section would not exceed six feet. With the exception of
openings for ingress and egress, the wall is perfect, inclosing
an area of about four acres* The vestiges of antient habitations
within this primitive fence are numerous^ and occupy the
whole inclosure, leaving only one vacant spot at the upper
end, which might haye been a place of public resort for the
inhabitants of the town. A springs rising on the eastern side,,
supplies the indosure with water, and the whole presents a
more complete specimen of an antient British settlement,,
provided with means of protracted defence, than will be found
in any other part of the kingdom*
Many similar inclosures on a less extensive scale are found
in every district of the moor. One^ however, is so essentially
different in construction from all the others we have noticed^
that it merits a particular description in this place, especially
since it appears that it belongs to the unrecorded and ,unde»
scribed antiquities of Dartmoor*
In a small pasture field, about a furlong S. £* of Manaton
church, a<y oining a parish road, is an inclosure of an elliptical
form, in an exceedingly perfect condition. The stones of
which the fence is composed, are from four to six feet high,,
placed in a double row and set closely together. One stone,
however, is so large that it fills the whole breadth of the fence^
being six feet wide and five feet thick. The diameters of tho
area are one hundred, and one hundred and thirty-eight feet^
and there are no vestiges of any Druidical relic within the^
precincts. It will be instantly distinguished from the sacre^
circles of Gidleigh and the Grey Wethers, by the position or
the stones, which are without lateral intervals**
* 1 coiuecture this indognre to baye named the Tillage of Manaton, or rathef
Maen-jf^wHy the indotore of ereet 5UmioB^^If<fU dy ii^'er C. H. Smmk.
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196 REV. S. ROWB ON ANTIQUARIAN
Trackways, under which designation those roads or cause*
ways, or perhaps boundary lines, which cross the moor in
different directions are included, might with more accuracy
be distinguished into the two classes of trackways and track-*
lines. Trackways in this more confined isense, would then
mean those which trayerse the moor to a yery wide extent,
ascending the hills, penetrating the bogs and swamps, and
fording the riyers; while tracklmes will describe those which
connect inclosures or huts, commencing and terminating within
the bounds of each yillage.
* The most extensiye trackway which has cmne under our
notice, is one which is supposed to trayerse the moor in a
direction E. and W. from Hamildown to Great Mistor. Con-
siderable portions of the line can be traced in a direction
corresponding to these two points, but a large extent of it
rests rather upon the testimony of tradition, than on existing
remains ; for this is one of the few relics of remote antiquity
which seems to have excited any attention in the moormen.
The oral topographers of the district recognise this trackway
as the equator of the moorland region ; all aboye it being
considered the north, and all below it as the south country.*
This circumstance, while it affords good eyidence as to the
antiquity of this relic, militates, it must be allowed, in some
degree against the theory which would attribute to it the
character of a road rather than that of a boundary.
The trackway may be seen in great perfection descending
the northern slope of Chittaford down, towards the East Dart.
It is formed of pebbly stones irregularly placed together, and
forming a rude causeway, with its crest slightly raised aboye
the leyel of the country ; its mean breadth being fit>m fiye
to six feet. On this common, it is visible for a considerable
• On the authority of the Rev. J. M. Mason, Vicar 6f Widecombe, to whose
intimate acquaintance with the topography of Dartmoor, and Icindness in afford-
ing every information ia his power, we are mach indebted.
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INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 197
lengthy and can betraced, running due west, through Hollow-
combe and up the opposite hill to Little White tor. Down the
common towards the Bart it bends N.E. but takes a southerly
direction in the level near Post bridge. With some difficulty
it may be detected passing through the boggy meadows below
Hartland farm. The peat cutters are said to come upon it
below the surface; and the general direction is found to be
E. andW.
Another portion has been observed passing over Archerton
hill, and is visible to the extent of a mile. In formation and
breadth it is precisely similar to the line already described.
But the finest specimen of trackways as to breadth, is that
which ascends the hill at Three-barrow tor. It terminates in
the great cairn on the summit, but commences again on the
opposite side, and proceeds down the hill in a N. W. direction.
This trackway is full fifteen feet wide, though much obscured
by the encroaching vegetation. The stones which have be^i
recently torn out of the moss, have been piled up in a wall-like
form; which will readily account for the disfigured character
of some of the relics*
The Trackliites are gpreatly similar in construction to the
trackways, but less extensive. They have been, hitherto,
invariably observed in connexion with antient dwellings and
sepulchral remains, and in great probability served for bounds
or pathways, connecting and inclosing dwellings, while the
former might haf e been designed in like manner to facilitate
the intercourse between, villages and towns.
' Numerous examples of the tracklines occur in various parts
of the moor. At Torhill, near Rippon tor, they intersect each
other at right angles in such numbers, that nearly the whole
of the eastern slope is partitioned into squares, conveying in
a striking manner the idea of an antient rural settlement. This
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198 REV. 8. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
notion is strongly supported by the appearance of hat circles,
which are found in many of these primitive divisions.
But the tracklines are generally observed, as it might be
expected, of more irregular forms. On the N. W. side of
Cawson hill, they are seen in a winding or serpentine form.
They also occur in irreg^ar forms on the slope of the hill,
south of Wistman's wood ; and near Littleford tor, two dwell-
ings^are connected by a line which forms the segment of a
circle. On the S. side of Hey tor, more in the neighbourhood
of Torrhill, they are again observed in rectangular outlines^
The trackways possess no characteristic which would lead
us to assign their construction to the Roman period of British
history ; nor have we historical evidence that any of their
roads ran through Danmonium in a direction corresponding to
that of the Dartmoor trackways. Neither are there in them
any marks of modem construction as fences or boundary lines )
the remains of the oldest wall fences on the moor being con*
structed in a manner so strikingly different, as to be evident
to any observer of common penetration. Similar remarks will
apply to the tracklines in a great degree, and as they are
found so intimately connected with ruined dwellings, and other
remains of a remote eera, the inference seems just that would
assign them to the same people and the same period. But as
this relic of antiquity has hitherto received so little investigation*,
our opinions on this subject are not advanced without hesita-
tion, and require further research before they can be considered
sufficiently established.
Examples of the existing relies of Dartmoor and its pre-
cincts have thus been produced. I now proceed to a general
notice of the principal of those relics, more agreeably to their
topog^phical situation, commencing with Putor, near Samp*
ford Spiney church, on the western skirts •f the moon
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. ]99
Putor is traditionally regarded as a Druidical court of
judicature, probably from the conformation of the granite
masses whereof it is composed* These are raised by thejiand
of nature, so as to form two divisions— -that on the east consists
of four piles of granite rocks standing at the four cardinal
points, like rude bastions, connected on the E. and W. by an
equally rude breastwork or curtain, but open to the N. and S.
On the N. W. pile is a series of rock basins irregularly disposed
over the surface of the granite mass. One, on its N. edge is
complete, and is furnished with a natural lip or spout, calcu-
lated to pour the water over the edge. This basin conmiunicates
by a slight channel with a second, much broken, which has a
like communication with the third, much more oval than the
former, and placed E. of the second on the verge of the rock.
Near the W. edge of the same rock, but detached from the
others, is a fourth basin, slightly oval — depdi eleven inches,
diameter two feet
N. E. of Putor, above the Walkham river, stands Vixen or
Vissen tor, a natural pile, rising abruptly on the N. side from
the heath, ranking from its size and form among the grandest
on the moor. It faces exactly S. and is said to have been
antiently employed for astronomical purposes : whether it were
ever so used or not, it would at least form a colossal dial to
determine the mid-day hour.
N. from Vissen tor, are the Three-staple tors, and Rolls tor-— a
line drawn from N. to S. would nearly intersect the five. Little
Staple tor is first arrived at in ascending the hill. On the W.
edge of the highest and largest mass of this tor, is a basin of
irregular outline — ^lip nearly S., diameter two feet. On the
N. W. pile of Great Staple tor, a basin less perfectly hollowed
than the last— diameter sixteen inches, no lip.
Merivale bridge, adjoining which is the bound-stone of
Walkhampton and Whitchurch parishes, is in the valley below.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
200 ^^^' S* ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
Ascending the hill, by the turnpike road, scarcely half a mile
from the river Walkham, we enter the antient town or village
already mentioned. Its site is on the slope of the conunon,
inclining to the south-west, and the ground over which the
houses are scattered is of considerable extent, on both sides of
the road. The principal relics in this village have been
already noticed under their respective heads; and among
these, the avenues by their singular appearance will immedi-
ately strike the observer. Their direction is towards the river;
they are in immediate connexion with sacred circles, the
northern terminating in one, and the southern having another
at mid-length : they are in apparent relative connexion with
the larger sacred circle and maen on the south. From these
circumstances the avenues will afford the best central station
for describing the position of the several relics of this antient
settlement, as laid down in the accompanying plate.
About twenty-four yards S. of the S. avenue, is an imperfect
cairn of small dimensions; one hundred yards S., a circle,-—
diameter sixty-seven feet, stones ten, height not exceeding
eighteen inches. S. of the maen is the circle already described,
and sixty-six feet S. of the avenue, the fallen cromlech before
mentioned.
»
N. £. by N. of the avenues is a Cyclopeean inclosure or
pound ; differing essentially from Grimspound and others in
the construction of the fence — this consisting chiefly though
not entirely, of upright stones, while at Grimspound they are
rudely piled together. Advantage has been taken of the natu-
ral position of some huge blocks in forming this singular fence;
the form approaches, though imperfectly, to a circular figure ;
mean diameter one hundred and seventy-five feet. At the
upper or E. end is a vast block — ajair edge forming one wall
of some interior enclosure, having remains of walls at right
angles. In front of this, distant thirty feet, is a large quoit-like
stone, sixteen feet by nine feet eight, which as the impost.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 201
with three others, formed die group before alluded to as the
possible ruins of a second cromlech of very large dimensions.
There are hut circles or foundations of dwellings within, and
immediately without, the inclosure, of a large si2e, and of the
descriptionalready given, as are the other hut circles through-
out the village, which extends about a mile along the side of
the hill ; on the highest point of which, Great Mistor (with its
fine rock basin) overlooks the whole. There are many tumuli
in the neighbourhood, one of which was opened, but nothing
was found to repay the seardi.
Between the village and Great Mistor, is an old stream-
work, with a primitive bridge or, rather, ford. On the summit
of Great Mistor is the rock basin already described.
About S. S. E. of Mistor, above Dartmoor and Prince-town,
rises Hessary tor. Southward, the land declines towards the
springs of the Plynu One of the principal brooks is crossed
by the Plymouth road, where an old stream-work will be
observed. In the immediate neighbourhood are a number of
ruined huts, four of twenty-six feet diameter, very near the
road. There are many others on the slope of the opposite hill,
eastward; the foundation slabs very perfect, with the door
jambs standing, frcmting S. North-west of these is a cairn,
containing an imperfect kistvaen.
Twelve furlongs S. W. of Hessary, Black Tor rises immedi-
ately above the before-mentioned brook. On the edg^ of the
pile on the highest ground, is a basin of an irregular oblong,
two feet eight by one foot ten, with an open channel to the
edge. The immense mass on which the basin is formed, rests
very slightly on the tor, and has much of the logan character.
Nearly a furlong from this tor, in the glen below, are the
avenues before mentioned, on the eastern bank of the stream.
The N« avenue terminates in a circle, consisting of fifteen slab-
B B
Digitized by VjOOQIC
J^Lmm^^
303 REV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAlf
like stoneei) the faighest, Cliree feet from the surface ; ten are
erect, five fallen. Between this avenue and the stream is m
cairn : there is one also at the extremity of the S« avenue, but
very imperfect. A stream^work intersects (he avenues diago*
nally.
On die slope <^ the adjoining hill, is an inclosure or Pound,
similartothose already described, of an irrc^^utar form; dkb*
meter one hundred and twenty paces. It ccmtains nine hut
circles, whose general size is twenty««ix feet in diameter.
On the same hill, fronting westerly, nearly opposite Stanlake
farm, is a second Pound ; its form approaching to a circle, dia*
meter eighty-six paces. Within and without die fence, are
numerous hut circles. On the E. runs a brook, which appears to
have been diverted from an antient channel below the Pound.
Below Golden tor, near Prince-town, is the group of kistvaens
before described; and near Two-bridges^ on Bair down, the
maen or rock-pillar. On the banks of the west Dart, above
Two-bridges, is the celebrated Wistman's wood, the venera-
ble relics of one of the most antient forests in the world.
The wood extends aloi^ the acclivity which rises abruptly
from the river, nearly half a mile in length, and about a furlong .
in breath. The trees, which are all oaks, present a scene at
once curious and interesting, from their stunted growth, and
gnarled and twisted boujg^hs matted with luxuriant moss,
whortle, and parasitical pumts. But although the trees do not
exceed twelve feet in height, some of them are ten feet in
girth, and the foliage is thick, flourishing, and vigorous.
Southward, towards Two-brii%es, on the same acclivity,
are numerous hut circles. Here is also a Pound of an irregular
' form, less perfect, but of a character sinular to those in oAer
parts of the moor. A hut circle near its lower wall, has a
double foundation, different from any before noticed*
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 203
Crockern tor, celebrated by tradition as the situation of an
antient stannary court, crowns the southern summit of this
ridge. The tor can scarcely be said to possess any vestiges of
such appropriation, although it is belieyed that a granite table
and benches existed within the memory of persons now alive.
The natural rock, however, still retains a conformation suffici-
ently akin to that of a chair, to warrant the supposition that it
might have been appropriated as the seat of the presiding
officer.
On Littleford tor is a rock basin, of an oval form ; its length,
to the extremity of the lip, thirty inches ; breadth, twelve inches.
Between Littleford and Longaford tors, is a trackway pro-
ceeding down the hill towards the West Dart; but being
much overgrown with heath, its course can be only imperfectly
traced. On the declivity of the same hill, betwen the tors and
Wistman's wood, are very numerous remains of trackways or
lines, hut circles, and inclosures. Two dwellings are connected
by a trackline ; the others stand singly, and the whole number
n seven* Many more appear to have been destroyed by the
building of new^ake walls.
On Chittaford down, above Post bridge, is the grand central
trackway, noticed in the general description; and near it,
above Groggershole head, are detached hut circles, cairns, and
a kistvaen five feet square. Archerton hill, near Post bridge,
boasts the singularly perfect hut above-mentioned. Here is
also a Pound of a remarkable construction, thought by the
observers to resemble a fortification or camp. The area is
partitioned by lines of stones, in directions apparently irregu-
lar; the hut is placed near the rampart, and without it are
several hut circles. The diameter of the Pound is one hundred
yards. On the same hill are various relics of trackways,
inclosures, and hut circles; one of the latter is very complete,
and is seven yards in diameter.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
204 RCV. S. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
Immediately opposite, on the north side of the Moreton
road, is a large inclosure, which, if undisturbed, would have
approached nearer to that at Grimspound than any yet exam-'
ined. Diameter three hundred and fifty feet ; mean breadth
of the rampart sixteen feet. This inclosure contains six hut
circles; without are three others, and seyeral tracklines.
On the hill above Stanwig bottom, is a circle of ten upright
stones surrounding a small kistvaen. Diameter of the circle
ten feet.
Hartland tor exhibits another instance of that form of inclo-
sure which may have assigned the area, between two or more
piles of rocks, to some specific purpose. The inclosure, as' at'
Putor, will be best described as a rude breastwork, connecting
natural bastions*
Northward, on the hill opposite to Hartland tor, is a dilapi«
dated Pound, half of the rampart having been destroyed for
the purpose of building a new-take wall. The rampait is of
great breadth, much like Grimspound, being in some places
twenty-five feet wide, and formed of enormous stones. One
entrance remains nearly S. To the rampart are joined ten hut
circles, and nine are contained within the area, the diameter'of
which is one hundred yards. Not far distant, on a hill com-
manding a brook, which falls uito the East Dart, are twenty-
five hut circles of various dimensions.
Northward is Sittaford tor, above Ladle bottom, near which,
S. £• are the circles of the Grey Wethers. On the side of the
opposite hill, S. £. are numerous hut circles, connected by
short tracklines of a serpentine form.
On Challacombe down, opposite Grimspound, is a line of
avenues, running N. and S. The N. end is lost in a stream
» work; the S. is so much overgrown by heath and moss that no
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVfiSTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 305
more than one hundred yards are discoyerable. Almost all
the neighbouring hills are capped with cairns, and have
numerous hut circles on their sides, — as Warren tor, Birch
tor, and others.
Adjoining the road, about five miles from Moreton, are some
hut circles in an inclosure, one side of which is straight, the
other portion forming an irregular curve. A trackway passes
along the line of the inclosure, towards the valley below ; at
right angles to this is a second, which is lost in the valley,
but re-appears on the opposite hilL There is a third, parallel
to the last — all being connected with the inclosure.
Grimspound, on the N. W. declivity of Hamildown, has
been already described. On the summit of Hamildown is a
barrow ; one of these monuments is also seen on King tor,
N. E. The portion of trackway on Hamildown is supposed
to be a continuation of the great trackway. On the N. E. side ,
of Hamildown, a circular inclosure, called Berry pound, wUl
be scarcely discernible, from the fern and heather by which it
has been overgrown.
About three miles N. N. W. from Sittaford tor, is the high
table land in the centre of the moor, forming an extensive
morass, frt>m which the principal streams in Devonshire take
their rise. At Cranmere pool, within its precincts, is the source
of the East Ockment. This swampy tract divides the water
courses, — those streams which flow respectively northward, to
the Bristol, and southward, to the English channel.
Near one of the springs of the Tavy, between Cranmere
pool and Furtor, is a single hut of an oval form, thirty feet in
circumference. Its situation is in one of the most secluded
parts of the moor, and no antient remains, of any kind, have
been observed in its vicinity.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i^sm
206 R£!V. s. Rowfi ON antiquarian
Almost northernlyy above the course of the Taw^ rises Cawson
or Cosdon hill, the highest in Dartmoor. On the side fronting
Belstone church is a very perfect trackway, formed in the
usual manner, with the exception of having a few stones
placed erect at long intervals. Its direction is from the valley
and cultivated grounds N. E. by £• four hundied and seventy
paces. It terminates W. in another of similar character, meet-
ing it in an acute angle. Near it is a dilapidated cairn.
On the ridge of the mountain, N. from its highest point, is a
cairn, inclosed by a fence of slab stones, closely set, leaning
outwards, apparently, so placed, by design. The highest of
these inclosing stones is three feet, and the object seems to
have been, to confine die small stones, of which the cairn is
composed, widiin their compass.
S. W. sixty-four paces, a cairn formed of unusually large
stones, contains a kistvaen, seven feet square,* already d^
scribed. W. S. W. seventy paces, is a large circle, constructed
of closely set slabs, like all die habitation circles on the
moor, but considerably larger than any hitherto noticed. Its
diameter is fifty feet, and if the smaller ruins convey a notion
of the cabins of the people, this from its size bears the appear-
ance of the mansion of the chief. Yet in the c^tre is a fallen
kistvaen, eight feet square, within which we thought we could
discover a rude sarcophagus, the cover of which was not more
than two feel and a half in breadth. This relic altogether,
if not unique, is of a very singular character, and very distinct
in its appearance from all others we have met with.
S. W. of the last, one hundred and twelve paces, adjoining
the beacon-cairn on the mountain top, is a low, circular inclo-
* Thlt U probably * Ca^oo bonte,* of wbicb ibe moormen is tbe neifb-
boorbood speik.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOOR. 207
BVLte^ in formation somewhat similar to the tracklines. The
stones are thrown promiscuously together, a very few only
being placed erect in the ground* With the exception of a
small portion of its circumference, this circle is beautifully
perfect ; inclosing an area of boggy laud, scarcely lower than
the highest point of the mountain upon which the beacon is
placed.
In the descent of the hill, towards Taw marsh, opposite
Belstone tor, is a group of hut circles, nine in number, within
and without a trackline inclosure, three hundred and forty
paces in circumference. One part of the circumference breaks
from the circular into a serpentine form, for no apparent
reas(m. Still nearer to the valley of the Taw, on the side of
die mountain, two trackways intersect each other, forming
acute angles at the point of intersection. The trackways can
be distinctly traced two furlongs from N. E. to S. W.
Four miles S. E. of Cawson, is Castor rock, which has a
basin two feet by one foot six. Immediately below Castor,
on Tincombe* down, are numerous tracklines, re<^ang^ar
inclosures, and Pounds, with hut circles, similar to those in
other quarters of the moor.
Near Castor is Gidleigh common, on the borders of which
is an upright rock pillar or maen, similar in appearance to
that at Merivale bridge. The hdght is twelve feet, girth at
the base eight (eety tapering gradually upwards. It has been
employed as a boundnstone, and inscribed with the letters
G and I) — Oididgh and Dagldgh commons. Thirty nsix yards
fit)m this stone, commences an avenue of upright stones, one
hundred and thirty-four yards in a direction N. and S. At
some distance, on another part of the hill, is a second avenue
running down the hill one hundred and forty yards, in a
Correctly, Tcigncombe^ witbont doubt.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
■««PM
■■
906 RE^- S. EOWB ON ANTIQUARIAN
direction due N. and S. The breadth is four feet and a half,
and it terminates in a very curious set of circles of upright
stonesy placed one within another ; the outermost consisting
of eleven stones, die second of six, the interior of eight; and
within this, three stones, irregularly placed. Diameter of the
whole fifteen feet. At a short distance is a columnar stone,
having the appearance of an overthrown maen.
A few paces from these concentric circles commence a pair
of avenues, leading down the hill, N. towards the Teign. Hie
eastern of these avenues could be traced only forty-one yards,
but the stones are peculiar and unusually large, some stand-
ing three feet six from the surface, and being of a triangular
shape. The western is visible one hundred and forty-four
yards ; in a direct lincf from its termination, are two upright
stones, two feet six high, and t^i feet apart.
N. of the Teign is the fine Gidleigh circle, before noticed,
on the declivity of a hill, above the North Teign ; and near a
path leading from Venwordiy to Oakhampton, N. of Castor
rock, and E. of Watem tor.*
On Ruggamede hill, in Venworthy new-take, one mile and
a half from Gidleigh pillar, is a circle of upright stones,
twenty-seven in number ; the highest standing three feet and
a half from the surface. From some wide intervals in the
circumference, the stones appear to have been removed.
Diameter sixty-four feet.
S. of the circle, three hundred and sixty feet, commences
an avenue, taking a direction N. and S. one hundred and
twenty-four feet, towards a brook. A large part of this
avenue seems to have been removed, for the construction of a
neighbouring wall.
* Remarkable for Thirlstone rook, conUinbf tn aperture said to be large
enough to admit a man on horseback.
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mvBdnoATiONs in dartmoor. 209
Assacombe hill, overlooking a spring of the South Te^n,
has various relics, though chiefly in a more dilapidated state
than usual. The adjacent fences too evidently account for. the
more than ordmarily ruinous state of die hut cirde^y and qua-
drangular inclosures on this spot.
In the neighbourhood of Venworthy, tracklines wiU be
found, forming irregular figures, (and containing hut circles,)
€f a similar description to diose on Lakehead hill.
Bowerman's nose stands on the promontory of a long ridge
of hills, dividing die vales of Manaton and North Bovey from
that of Widecombe. Below, is a road to Chagford, from
vFhich town, in the direction of Holy-street^* a lane leads to the
celebrated Drewsteignton cromlech, in a field belonging to
Shilston farm. S. of the cromlech, eighty^seven feet, are the
remains of what has been r^^arded as a tumulo-caim, with
an excavation in the centre.
N. N. W. of Sandypark, a rocky ridge rises from tibe coppice
and marshy grounds around it; tors appear on the summit, two
of which have rock basins. The most perfect is very deep,
and nearly circular, being two feet by one foot eight
S. E*. in the channel of the Teign, is the logan stone men-
tioned in the general description; and near Manaton church-
town the large circle, also before described.
In the ascent of the hill above Becky fisdl, and opposite
Lustleigh difis, is a large dilapidated cairn, with a trackway
descending from it, towards the valley N. E. two hundred
and thirty-six yards.
On the eastern pile of Hey tor, is an imperfect basiut two fiset
f Called by Polwliele, the Via 8a€ra of the Dnddf .
C o
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210 RBV. 8. ROWE ON ANTIQUARIAN
six in dianeter. A trackway, r aiming N. E. ternunates at the
west pile ; a secondy parallel to the last, ends in a smaller tor,
W. of the great tor. Another, intersecting the second, has for
some distance the appearance of an avenue, two hundred and
thirty-six yards long, but g^raduaUy dwindling into a line;
haying at its southern end a trackline, at right angles.
N.W. of Heytor, Holwell tor presents a walk of one hun-
dred yards, at least from one hundred to oqe hundred and fijfty
feet wide, between walk of granite, rising to one hundred feet
in the highest part. Below Kippon tor, die second of the
Dartmoor hills, a trackway forms an object so conspicuous, as
to be taken at first for a modem fence. Descending the side
of Rippon tor, it crosses a road leading from Heytor, and the
road from Ashburton to Chagford. Many of die stones in diis
trackway are unusually large and high ; presenting, from this
circumstance, more of the fence, and less of the causeway
character, than any before noticed. Near tho trackway are
two hut circles, the slabs of which are large and closely set;
the largest, thirty feet diameter ; die other circle eighteen
feet diameter, having one door-jamb, four feet high; the
former containing a dilapidated kistvaen.
Torrhill, W. of the trackway, has its decliyity partitioned
into rectangular inclosures by tracklines; many of dieise inclo-
sures contain hut circles.
A circular inclosure, as large as Orimspound, occupies one
porti<m of the face of the hill, and contains hut circles. Both
the hut circles and inclosure are much dilapidated, and one
fourth of the eastern circumference of the lattef has disappear- '
ed. The western side of the hill, looking towards Widecomhe,
has some circles of erect stimes, closely set, in the act of being
demolished, for repairing the road !
The road to Chagford runs along the high moorlands, above
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INVESTIGATIONS IN DARTMOiHt. 211
Widecombe church-towiii a<yoiiuiig whicbi a trackway may be
traced, pursuing the same direction.
Yartor, on the opposite side of the dales of Widecombe,
looks down upon Dartmeet bridge, the pdint Where the
parishes of Widecombe, Holne, and Lidford meet. This tor
has two courses of natural roek^ (similar to Putor) on the
north and south. The w^st side bas a low rude fence, formed
of g^ranite blocks; and .the eastern has a.sitnilar breastwork,
though less perfect, and somewhat in advance of the parallel
courses on the other sides of the tor. The whole conformation
presents a rude but grand indosuve, conveying the idea of a
natural temple, admirably adapted to the wild and mystic
rites of a dark and superstitious Worship.
From Yartor, N. E. are som^ hut tirdes ; one of which
contains a kistvaen in ruins, the cover-stdne of which is fire
feet by three.
Near the springs of the Erme, and not far from the old road
called Abbot's way, is Erme Pound, an indosure of similar
character to the others already described. S. S. E. is Three-
barrow, tor, so named from the tbree enormous cairns on its
summit. The cairns are observed to be generally of larger
dimensions in this quarter than in other parts of the moor,
and there is scarcely a hill in the neighbourhood, which can-
not boast of its g^ranite crown. At its western foot is an
extensive group of hut circles, of large size, and less disturbed
than in many other places. Many of them have inclosures
attached, conveying the notion of a yard, or garden plot. One
is double, the circles touching one another, but there is no
appearance of an opening or communication between them.
N. of this spot is a Pound, and another conformation of a similar
character, not so well defined.
Southward, about one mile fit>m the Western beacon, in a
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i 1
212 REV. 8. ROWE ON" DARTMOOR, &c.
fine molmtain basing is a double avenue, so nearly obliterated
as to require a practised eye to detect it. It terminates in a
streamy and is unconnected with any other British relics.
On the hill above Shavercombe head, near the springs of
the Yealm, are son^ detached hut circles. On Shaugh moor
are also some circles, about a mile east of the church ; and on
Sheepstor, which rises grandly above the church-town of that
name, are hut circles and a rock basin.
There are detached hiit circles on Cockstor, W. of Staple
tor; — a straggling vUlage with inclosures, on the Walkham,
below Mistor, (the largest of which is ninety-three paces in
diameter, each indosure having a hut circle on the western-
edge;)— a trackway between Mistor and Rollstor, near an
antient road to Lidford; tracklines and other remains below
Lints tor ; — ^but as these have not been so accurately examined
as the other relics which came under our notice, a particular
description cannot be given.
We are not, however, without the hope of pursuing these
investigations on a future occasion, and of completing an enu-
meration of British relics in Dartmoor, and its precincts.
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VII.
ON PERSIAN POETRY— BT MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD,
HONORARY MEMBER OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
The difficulty of writing on Oriental subjects, particularly
in this country, arises, in a great degree, from having so little
access to manuscripts, and from the paucity of publications
connected with the literature of the East. I feel much diffi-
dence in entering on this dark and extensive region ; but trust
from this avowal, great allowances will be made,, especially if
it be considered, that not more than half a century has elapsed,
since the strong efforts were made by that accomplished Orien-
talist Sir William Jones, to excite a popular taste in the Britisb
nation for the literary productions of Asia; and since his time,
the mardi of Oriental learning, though n<rt rapid, has been pro-
gressive. It is true, that a few Europeans have been eminent
in Arabian learning before this stated period ; but it was
reserved for the genius of Sir William Jones, to shed a more
general lustre on the languages of Asia.**
* Mock TBlnable infonnation may now be ezpeeted fitnn theTranaaettoDS of
the Royal Asiakio Sodefcy of Great Britain and Ireland, In oonjonetion with the
Branch Societies in India ; also from the Oriental Society of Translation, which
has recently been established in London.
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214 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
Before we can speak satisfactorily of the poetry of Iran or
Persia^ it is necessary to take a rapid view of the state of
Arabian poetry before, and about the time of, the Mohammedan
Conquest.
The compositions of the old Arabian poets, preserved in a
written form, are more or less descriptive of their primitive
manners, of their tents and camels, of their deserts and pastures.
Love and Pity, the two keys of the human heart in the poetry
of all nations, impart an irresistible charm to the shorter pieces
of the Orientals. Their gazeb^ generally expressive of gay
and lively images, and their ccwufaA^, appropriated to serious
and grave subjects, are without number: many of their pro-
ductions breathe a fine spirit of independence ; inculcate a
noble contempt of riches; and are profuse in praise of liberality,
a virtue for which the Eastern nations are pre-eminently dis-
tinguished.
Some authors imagine that the art of writing was not much
in practice among the Arabians before the time of Mohammed,
who on account of his ignorance of the written character, was
styled by his enemies ^ The Illiterate.^^* This ignorance per-
haps extended only to the kind of writing introduced just
* It has been suspected that the term **iZ{iforate" was purposely assumed by
Mohammed, or given to him by hSi friends as a pretended proof of the Koran
bdng of ditlne origin. M; Renaud In his " Ik$eriptUm det Manntmew JAmiiI-
fNOfw,'* obserres that Mohammed was (bnd of retirement, and that every year,
during the month of the Ramadan, he withdrew to a cave en MouAt Hira near
Meeeay and declared, that in his meditation on divine sulijects, he was visited by
the angel Gabriel, who saluted him with the title of "Apostle of God,'* and, "as
he knew uot how to read, at least at first, the angel brought his instructions in
writing, and read them to him. Mohammed repeated them, and ^afterwards
revealed what he had learned to Us disciples. Hence is the origin of the term
coraii, which in Arabic means reading^ and is pronounced with the article,
al-coran^ which implies, emphatically, **tk€ reading** ibiatic Journal for Jan.
1829.
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ON PERSIAN POETRY. 215
before Islam^ by Merger Ibn Morrah, a natiVe of Babylonian
Ir&k, which was named Ambaryj and superseded Ae Almos^
nadjf a character in use before the establishment of Moham-
medanism amongst the Hamyarites, or the people of Yemen,
governed by princes of Hamyar, and professors of Sabeism.
This character was most probably the rude CfuficX The
learned Silvestre de Sacy thinks it impossible to imagine that
* lilam or Iitontifm, *' firom the worcl HUama, -which io the fourth oonju^a*
tiim is Ulama, to enter into the state of salyation ; hence §tlam (or Ulam) the
sayiag religion ; and mMtlima% or as we call it, mituUman^ he that beUeveth
therein.*' Prideanx's Life of Mohammed, page 15. ikfutii/ffiait, according to
M. Reinaud, signifies ** to pat oneself into the hands of Ood.**
t Almoinad or Mu9nad. Nonsn*aYons, svr les caracteres mosnades que
des notions Taguesetincertaines Je crois anssl que les caracteres
musoades etoient les memes qne ceox qae nous Toyons sor certaines bandelettes
de momies. Les auteurs arabes qui parlent des antiquites de I'Eg ypte, rafflrment
memo tres-positlyement ; lis nous appreaoent en meme temps que ce caractere
etoit nsite anciennement chez les Hhemyarytes. L*ecriture rousnade, dit al-
Masoudy (Mourawfje al dgekeb) est la premiere ecrlture des Hhemyarytes et
des rois de A*ad. Al Miqryzy (Deser. de TEgypte, article des Pyramides)
igoute qoe les lettres en sont Isolees. Hha^jy Khalfah (Bibl. Orient. artSde
rim el-KkathJ et Pocock, nous representent, au contrafre, ces caracteres comme
groupes. Ces denx opinions neparoissent pas eontradictoires, qnandon examine
les bandelettes dont nous Tenons de parler.*' Recherches Asiatiques Tom. Sec
p. 14.
t Bo called from Ch^a or Canfa where it was first used. The character
termed Cn/ic was introduced by Moramer. Ibn Khalcan, an Arabian writer,
thus obserTes >— " With respect to the practice of the art of penmanship, the
first who ever wrote in an Arabic character was Ismael, on whom be peace*
The true opinion, howoYer, according to men of learning is, that the first writer
in an Arabic character was Moramer Ibn Morrah of the people of Ambar.
And it is said, that from the sons of Morrah and from Ambar writing was spread
among our countrymen." See also on this subject Professor Stewart's ^ Original
Perrian Letters,** page ii. a work of gpreat importance to writers and other
students going to India. His version of the seventh chapter of Anrari Soohyly,
and his other publloations have considerably enlarged our knowledge of Persiaa
literature.
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216 MR. NATHANOEL HOWARD
all the tribes of Arabia continued without the knowledge of
writing until the sixth century of the Christian era, and also
remarks, that as the old Cvfic character bears so great a re-
semblance to the anciait alphabet of the Syrians named
JEitranghehf there seems to be no doubt that the Arabians
borrowed it from the people of Syria; and this opinion is
further confirmed by historical traditions: and as the Korin
was originally written in the rude Cmficj or rather in the
anterior character borrowed from the Syrians of Mesopotamia
a little before the time of Mohammed, he yery justly conceiyes
that the character, then introduced, spreading through every
part of Arabia with the doctrine of the Prophet, caused all
other kinds of more ancient writing to fall into disuse.* It
may also be here observed, that Arabic may easily be written
with Hebrew characters^t
The Cujic laid the foundation for the NUki^ a beautiful
character in use about three hundred years after Mohammed,
ascribed to Abu Ali Ibn Moklah, but it was considerably
improved and perfected about the year of the Hijra 433 X by
Ibn Bowab. This character was afterwards embellished by
* See M. de Sacy*s admirable Grammalre Arabe. Premiere Paitie. p. 5.
See also Note to MilU*s Mobammedaniim, page 881, where refereneea are
made to Pocock. Specimen p. 158, Niebohr torn. l.p. 88.
t See Memoir of the Rev. Joseph Wolf, p. Sll, M. Langles speaking of
Uie learned Pooock, thus obsertes: En 1655, 11 pnbUa le Porta Moiit^ omrrage
compose en arabe et ecrit aree det earacUre$ kebreamx^ par le sayant Jdf Molse
Maimonides, snr i'histoire et la natnre da TVdmud. C'est le premier litre
imprime a Oxford avec des caracteres hebreaox. Recherches Aslatiqnes.
X An. Dom. 1080. ibn Khalean; bat according to Abnlfaraji 418, or An.
Don. 1092. tftfra or H(9<ra signifies JUS^A^ allading to the Jl^&< of Moham-
med to Yairebn and this drcomstance aocording to Bf. Reinaad, produced a
change of iu name to Midimtta^Nabij **the dty of the piophet,** or simply
IMinH or Mediwdu It OQOoned in the year 699 of onr era, and has since been
employed u an epoch by all Muiialnian nations.
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ON FER6UN POETRY. 2I7
Nezam, Togndj^ Yakit, and other eminent penmen. The
Persians are fond of the fine TaHk hand, particnlarly in
Poetry ; but the Sheke$teh is an inel^ant and careless kind
of writing without r^fularity, and often without diacritical
points.
A very undent cimeifarm diaracter has recently been dis-
covered by M. Schuli;, inscribed on the monuments in the city
of Van in Turkish Armenia, which the natives call Shamiram
makertf or the city of Semhramis. This citndfarm charact^
the learned M. St. Martin considers as belonging to a very
remote antiquity, and identically the same as that found in the
Inscriptionson the walls of Persepolis; some of which he so
ably interpreted. He is of opinion that this system of writing
expressed the sounds of a dialect closely connected with the
Zeitdy and which dialect was the ordinary language of the
Persians at the time of the elder Cyrus. Other inscriptions
have also been discovered by M. Schulz in the city of Van^
which are different to the character which M. St. Martin
denominates Median and Assyrian, but possessing a strong
affinity with it, and referable perhaps to a higher period of
antiquity.t
The copiousness and extent of the Arabic language is a
subject of astonishment to those, who have not duly considered
the rapid production of words from roots generally triliteral,
(though quadriliterak in Arabic are also numerous,) and in a
language which abhors compounds. Sir William Jones has
calculs^ that twenty-eight Arabic letters will give nearly
twenty-two thousand elements of the language; he also informs
* Toffrai is the author of a fiYorite monody of fifty-nine couplets, well
known to Arabic scholars.
t See more on this subject in the Asiatic Journal for Dec. 1888.
Dd
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218 Ml» NATHANIEL HOWARD
}fs that the Arabians have a saying '> that no man uninspired
was ever a c(»nplete master of Arabic/'*
The difficulty of attaining an extensive knowledge of the
language, and writing it accurately, are discouraging obstacles
even to a native ; for the incredible fund of words^f from
whidi a judicious and practicable selection can be made, is at
once an overpowering cause of perplexity : besides which,
the critical propriety in the arrai^mentof sentaices, the nice
felicity of idiom, and the easy elegance which a skilful and
experienced hand alone can throw into a written oompoention,
are within the reach of few.
Specimens of poetical, or of any other literature of Arabic
origin, existing at the important era of /i&im, are mostly in
manuscript, and only to be found in the libraries of Univer*
sities, or in private Collections, if we except the publication of
the JHoallakait or the seven celebrated poems, of which Sir
William Jones produced so excellent a version in our own
language; the extractsby Schultens from the Hamfaa, which is a
valuable collection of ancient po^ns compiled by Abu Timmam,
and of which a complete edition with a Latin version and
commentary is now in progress, undertaken by Profeeaor
Freytag; the MonumentaVetustiora of Schultens; the Casidah
of Caab Ibn Zoheir ; some pieces scattered in the works of die
* Sir William Jones's Discourse on the Arabs.
t Pooock, in his preface to the Otrwtem Tagraij mentions a dremnstanoe,
i¥hich, (if trae,) may glre some idea of the pains which the Arabians have talieo
with their language. *' A king haying sent to a grammarian for the books in
his possesion relative to tliat tongne, he desired the messenger to inform the
monarch, that if lie wished to tiaye them, he most send sixty camels to carry the
dictionaries alone.'* This sounds like an Arabian Tale^ but see Richardson's
Dissertation on the literature Ac. of the Eastern Nations. Proqft and Ul. p* 74.
t Sutpended.
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ON PBRSIAN VCWTKY, 21S^
learned Baron de Sacy and BeidLe; and others to be found at
the end of Carlyle's el^wt trandations. But a happier era
seems to be dawning* on the literature of Arabia, and accurate
editims (^some of the best works of that country may reason-*
ably be expected.
The specimens of the seven poets,* usually styled the
** Arabim Pkiadei,^^ are masterjueces of Arabic poetry, and
are said to have been suspended in the portal of the Kaaba^
or Square Temple of .Ifecca^ as modds of beauty and ele«w
ganoe^t
The Arabians appear early to have been enthusiastic lovers
of po^ry. It was really with them the natural expression of
passion. It was the solace, the gratification, or as the Asiatics
term it, the loHjful magie of their uncultured minds. Their
* The lereD poets ire AmralkeU, Tarafa, Zohelr, Lebid, Antara, Amru^
and Harethy who floarbhed in the seventh century of the Chrbtiaa era. Some
Talnable editions have appeared of neariy all the Moallaka, accompanied with
the commentary of Zozeni, which Is thought preferable to the scholia of Ibn
Nahas.
t The practice of mupending poems li Uie gate of the Kaaba seems to be
fbr the purpose of obtaining pMieUjfj as Mecca was the resort of pilgrims and
the chief place of trading with caravans ; if they were suspended wUkiu the
tenqple, It was done with a view to the pre$ervaUoii of the manuscripts. The
poems, honoured by the prise obtained in the poetical contests at Oeadt^ were
usually written on Egyptian silk, in letters of gold, and in due form hung on the
gate of the JCoote, atemple so andentt thai Its age is lost hi a cloud of idle
traditions. The learned M. Langles say»;— liong temps avant Mohhammed,
les Arabes avoient chaque aanee, dans la )daine de 0*kadt, pros de la Mekke,
des assemUees assez semblables aux jeux olympiques des Grecs : on y disputolt
devant une multitude inwitnse, non seulement le prix dela force, du courage, de
Tadresse, mais encore la palme de la poesle et de Teloquence.*' &c. Recberches
Asiatiquei, Tom. ii. p. 18. Sir William Jones informa us, that in Pocock's
collection of manuscripts at Oxford, No* 174, there is a MS., containing above
forty other poems, which had the honour of being tuspeiukd at the gste of th^
temple.
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200 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
pastoral occupation, their famili^ view of natural objected
their de9ert solitudes, their regions of burning sand, their
rugged hills and beautiful ralleys — all contributed to touck
the chords of nature within them, and the expression was a
spontaneous flow of poetry and musical cadence.
The Arabians have excdled in almost every species of
poetical coo^iosition ; but their genius mostly del%hted in
the lyric and elegiac. They have also successfolly exercised
their talents in satirical, didactic, and narrative poetry ••—
Among their most valuable productions which have escaped
the havoc of time and proscription^ we may mention the Agh*
any,* a complete collection of anci^it Arabian poems, the
diwan of Hudhail, the two Hamisas, one by Abu Timmam
already mentioned, the other by Albakhteri, the diwan of
Dhu'lremmah, the poems of Amrulkais, Mutalammis, Jarir,.
Ferezdak, and others. The volumes of the more modern
Arabian poets, still in manuscript, are exceedingly numerous;
but till the best of these works have seen the light, no fair
estimate cau be formed^ nor any clear view given of the poetry
of Arabia.t
* '* M. Jones oablle de eiter la oolleetion la plus complete d'aneiennet
chansons arabes, intitolee Aghanyg laBibliotheqne nationale en adernlerement
acquis on bel ezemplaire en quatre gros Tolames in-Jblio.** ■ Becberches Asla-
Hqaes. Tom. ii. p. 99.
t Best of the more modem Arabio Poets still in BIS.
AbaNawasAlHassBnIbnHatl,bornA.H. 145,dledA.H. 105. MS. BodL
170. pp. folio.
Aba Timmam Habib Ibn Awas Al Tai, born A. H. 190, died A. H. S81.
AbuIbadahAlwalidlbnObadAlbohtari, born about A.H. 900, died about
A.H.960.
Abu Ibnul Abas, sumamed IbnulrumI, died A. H. 988. MS. BodL 800. pp. ito.
Abu Tayed Ahmed Ibn ul Hussain Almutannabi, bom A. H. 808, died A. H«
854. MS.8Y0.8ll.pp.
Abul Oia Ahmed Ibn Abdallah Altanukbi Almaar^ bora A.H.fe8t died A.A
449. M8.800.pp. 8fo.
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ON PERSIAN POETRY. 221
As a speeimen of an ancient Arabian poem, I present a
manuscript version which Sir William Jones wrote in his finer
copy of the Ham^tsa, now in the library of the Royal Society*
**ln the night-watch, past the nudnight hoar, a turtle-dove
mourned on the branch : and I w€U sleeping ! I spoke falsely
by the mansion of Allah : had I been really a Lover, the
turtles would not have preceded me in amorous mourning/'*
Sir William Jones has also left the following prose version
of another short po«n in the Hamdsa by Ab6 Atai'ssindi, sur->
named Marzuk, a Moslem. ^ I r^onembered thee, my fair
one, while the Indian javelins were vibrating among us, and
the straight brown lances were drinking blood from us. Now
by Heaven! I know not— ^md I am a speaker of truth, whether
a disorder has affected me through, thy removal,, or whether
it be enchantment* If it be enchantment, excuse me in the
name of Love : and if it be a disorder of a different sort, with
thee must be the excuse." f
Amidst all the contests for litarury excellence, the spirit
of religious animosity was secretly working its progress to the
* These lines may be thos rendered Into verse, but it is impossible to reach
the beauty of the original.
In the still night-watch, where I lay,
A Dove sat mourning on a bough.
And I wa$ $Ueptng /— Can I say
I lov*d that Fair One, yet oonld proTe
80 Iklse, O Allah ! to my TOW t
Alas ! I am no Lot ct - el se that Dove
Had ne'er preceded me in notes of LoTe»
See Appendix to Original P tosagofl - ■ No, 1.
'^ See Appendix No. S.
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tsp^
222 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
very centre of Arabian idolatry ! * Continued fendft among
the different clans had long agitated that divided country, and
led the way to a revolution in the national worship. Arabia
had early afforded an asylum to unprotected Jews and perse-
cuted Christians, who were allowed to exercise the rites of
their respective religions unmolested. Mohammed, taking
advantoge of opposing factions and the general disorder, and
being gifted with all the arts of insinuation, — an eloquent
tongue— -a graceful figure— an enthusiasm of manner— an
unsl)rinking perseverance through difficulties, after years of
protracted opposition to his new faith, at length pushed oil
his conquests, first by persuasion, and during the last ten years
of his life by the power of the sword, and lived to see his
doctrines strike root in every part of Arabia. This religion
aflier his death, sent forth branches which extended, by the
means of political influence, over Syria, Persia, Egypt, Turkey,
Morocco, and many other nations of Africa^ The Kaaba "wbb
again revered as the ancient seat of sanctity. No more were
rival poems of acknowledged excellence allowed to decorate
the portal of the temple. Nothing was permitted to meet the
public eye, which might impugn the new faith, or obscure the
splendour of the Koran, which, as the Prophet and his succes-
sors pretended, was of divine origin.
The fervour of conquest, and the fanaticism of zeal to
disseminate in neighbouring countries the Moslem faith, pro-
duced to the Arabians a series of brilliant victories.
* ** Mecca, in pfirticnlar, and most of the tribes, liaYing deserted the fidth of
At)raham and of Ishmael, had plunged into aU the errors of paganism. In the
interior of the Caaba were statoee of Abraham and Ishmael holding seyen arrows,
with which the idolaters pretended to teU future events. On the outside were
ranged 860 statues, each presiding over one day in the year ; some represented
angels, others planets and stars. Every one had its peculiar form of worship,
its votaries, and sacrifices.** See Abridgement of M« Reinaud's Masnlman
Momiments in Asiatic Jov. Jan. 1889.
Digitized by VjOOQiC
ON PERSIAN POETRY. 223
The battle of Cadessia, in the year 686 of the Christian era,
decided the fete of the Persian monarchy. It gave the death-
blow to their expiring greatness. The elegant and polite
Persians were compelled to submit to the yoke of Mohammed-
anism. By this disastrous oYerthrow their literature sunk, and
their oiril polity was levelled to the ground. In the confusion,
fanaticism, and devastation which followed the introduction
of Islam into the classic land of the Persians, not only were
their early annak lost, but even their soft and beautiful lan-
guage was corrupted by an influx of discordant Arabic words,
to which their ears were unaccustomed, and which their organs
of speech were incapable of uttering.* Almost every vestige
of literary composition which preceded this extraordinary
revolution was swallowed up in the vortex of those tumultuary
times: and here, we must not omit menticming the destruction
of the Alexandrine Library, by order of the Calif Omar, when
Amrou subdued Egypt, (seven centuries after the destruction
of the celebrated Library of the Ptolemies, which occurred in
Ccesar's time.) This Library consisted of an immense number
of volumes, sacrificed to the infatuated zeal for the exclusive
promulgation of the Koran. The fact rests on the authorities
of Abul-£suraji, Macrisi, and also of AbdoUatif, a writer of a
work expressly on Egyptian antiquities.t
In contemplating the fate of the extensive, and once mighty
empire of Iran or Persia, the mind is awed and overpowered
by a variety of emotions; and if we can but divest ourselves
of the partiality, which with our earliest dawn of reason, we
have imbibed for the greatness, valour, and literature of the
Greeks and Romans, we shall be better able to appreciate the
* The Arabic letters are difficult of pronunciation to the Persians, particu-
larly (tha) tk which they pronounce as «, and (dhal) dh they sound as z.
+ See note to Mills* Mohammedanism, page 88 1 . See also Gibbon *8 Account
of the Fate of the Alexandrine Library. History olihe Decline and Fall of
the Roman Empire, vol. 9. '
Digitized by VjOOQIC
224 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
genius, glory, and literary distinction, whidi diaracterised the
Persians from the remotest periods of antiquity, and whic^
diffused an enlightened and beneficial influence oyer the whole
continent of Asia. When we surrey this celebrated empire,
whose monarchs ^reigned from India even unto Ethiopia,
over a hundred and seventy and twenty provinces;'^ when we
reflect upon its ancient g^randeur, its princely dependencies,
laws, manners, literature ; at one time a stately and command-
ing people steadily promoting their own power and prosperity,
at another time torn and convulsed with a series of civil dis-
sensions, we shall be presented, as in a mirror, with the uncer-
tainty of national greatness, and the violent catastrophes, which
usually follow the desolatmg career of revolutionary govem-
ments«
The promulgation of the doctrines of the new faith, the
proscription of all efforts of the imagination, which were not
in unison with the tenets of Islam, and the opinion that all
knowledge was contained in the Koran, interrupted for some
time among the Arabians, the progress of Poetry, f until
the accession of the Abassids, who warmly encouraged the
revival of art and letters; among these, the celebrated Ha-
roun Alrashid, the fifth of the Abassid Khalifs, in the 170th
* Esther, chap. 1. Tar. 1. Chardin ioforms nt that **Penia is the greatest
empire of the world, if we consider it acoordiiig to the geographical description
of the Persians.*' **As to the ancient empire of the Persians, it reached from
the Hellespont to the month of the rirer Indue about two thousand eight hundred
English miles; In breadth from Poafiif to the mouth of the Arabian gulph about
two thousand miles.'* Uidyersal History, yoI. 5, p. b9.
Modem Persia is oomparatiTely In a very degraded state. Bee Fka8er*s Kho«
rasan, Morier, and other recent trayeilers.
t The following protest in the Koran against poets is curious : Shall I declare
unto you upon whom the demons descend? They descend upon every lying
person ; they learn what is heard ; but the greater part of them are liars. And
those who err, follow the steps of the poeCt." Sale's Alcoran^ chap. 97.
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' on PERSIAN POBTRY. 225
y«ur of the Hijra, (A. D* 786) beeaoie illustrious for his pa-
tronage of lettere, and bad tbe happiness to see his Court at
Bagdad orowded with men of genius and science, who were
invited from all parts of the world to share his munificence.
During his qplendid reign, the Khalifitt rose to its highest
pitch of greatness; for its power <' extended in Asia from thcf
gulph of Persia and tbe confines of Tatary* to tbe Mediter-
ranean and Indian Seas, and comprehended all the habitable
part of Africa, fit>m die isthmus of Suez to the Atlantic
oeeaiu^'t Haroun haring enjoyed a reign of twenty-three yearn
of unintenrupted glory, died, and 1^ tbe throne to bis eldest
SOD, Amin, who, Ibeing a weak and unamiable prince, was put
to death by the army ; and Al*Mamun, bis younger brother,
waa declared Kbalif, amidst the unanimous acclamation of tbe
people* He was the seventh monarch of the Abassids ; and,
in hb time^ poetry and tbe sciences attained their zenith of
excellence. Though his poww was less formidable than his
lather's, and tbe splendour of his court, perhaps, inferior, yet
lie was more passionately devoted to literature, expended
larger rams in tbe acquisition of valuable nmnuscripts, and;
was more zealous tor tbe difiusion of general knowledge.
Poetry^ Astronomy, Mathematics, Natural History, Ifedicine,
and other species of learning, mostly derived from Greek
antbonf,^ aptead over every country, where the power of the
Kbalif was lelt and acknowledged.
* The Chiiiete, havljig no r in their alphabet, pronounce Tata. It does not
appear that this term was known in Europe before the twelfth century.— ->M.
Langles.
f <Mfls*t«pMln«f of Arabian PMry.
} ** At the commencement of the ninth century, the Arabians were acquainted
with the medicine, philosophy, and natural history of the Greeks : they possessed
traiMiladMis of Hlppoeratet, Gkden, Tlwophrasttts, Ptolemy, Euclid, and Arls-
toda.**'^«oe an «xeeIleQtartide on Arabian Literature In the flfthnmnber of the
"•foreigBQuafMy."
Eb
Digitized by VjOOQIC
\
Mft. NATHANlEl
234
^nios, glory. «»dW*««^y '*'"*"'
?^"si from the remotest pen
diffused auenlighteB^andbem
continent of Asia. Wben-.
^hose monarchs -reigned fro
IverahundredandBeventyan
«flect npon its ancient gm.
laws, manners, literature- at o
tipeople steadily promoting
TtL^ time torn and con
tensions, we shall be present'
tainty of national greatne^;
«sudly follow the desolatn
ments.
The promulgation oi
proBcription of all effor^
in unison with the ter
knowledge was couta
time among the Av
the accession of th(
revival of art and
roun Alrashid, lb'
• £sther, cb&p. \
empire of the ¥roT\d.
the //jr#/**»pwi!tlft*
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON PERSIAH POETRY. 227
All, without distinctioii. of rank or oonditioiii as if influ^iced
by the spirit of duFalry, cludlenged each other to a trial of their
skilly mider the graceffil banners of Poetry and Eloquence.
Amidst all this princely patronage and literary competition,
many poems of acknowledged excellence must h^vp been
produced ; but not a yestige of Persian origin of any impor-
tance has descended to us prior to the iSAoA nameh otFhrdauny^
although we read of other, poets who were in high repute
before this period. But who can predict what specimens of .
Ori^ital gf^ius may yet be discoTored, at a future period,
under oiir enUghtened polity in the East, and liberal encour-
ag^nent giren to literary inquirers? It is not unreasonable
to suppose, that some valuable manuscripts in the sacred
ZeiUlff or courtly Dm, or ruder PeUem dialect of Irdn, may
have escaped Mohammedan proscription ; and may still exist
in many parts of Asia, in the seclusion of libraries, or in the
neglected depositories of religious edifices. Such works either
of an hist(Nri<»l or poetical nature would be highly desirable ;
and it is rational to expect fbrtfaer discoveries of Persian
winrks, or nunre correct copies of those akeady known, when
we consider what great efforts have been made, within a few
years, finr the developemrat and difiiision of Sanscrit literature.
* TbePerslaii tnuislation of Talmrl's TarHh Kublvt an historical woric, is
tappoaed to haye been made Anno SUjrB 850, A. D. 061, some years before the
appearance of the 8kak nameh by Firdausi, who died A. D. 1020. See Orient.
ColL Tol. ii. p. 187, a work fUU of interest and learning' to the Oriental scholar.
Tabari*8 Great Chronide is aboat to be pablisbed by Professor Kosegarten,
of tlie Oriental diair at Greiftwald, with a Latin translation and learned notes.
See Foreign Refi^w, No. 8.
According to an article in the Edinburgh Review, for 1816, the Persian
translation of the ** Duioleer** ia a yery ancient specimen of the language. Vol.
xxYii. p. 300. Note,
t This refined dialect was coltiTated with great assidaity at the court of
BeharamChir, in the year 851 of the Christian era, to distinguish it from the
Pekitvij or iangiiige of the country.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
228 l^Ift* NATHANIEL HOWARD
Among odiers, die learned Mr. Horeoe Wil«oii» of Calotttta,
has enriched the world widi a recent translation of aeferal fiae
specimens of the Indian Drama, a valuable SanscritDictionarjry
a poetic version of the Megha Data, and other publications :
to his extensive knowledge of Sanscrit as a scholar, nay be
added the classic and high qualifications of a poet. If most,
however, be remembered, that the first EoropeHi, whose genras
broke through the barriers of Sanscrit learning, is Dr. WiUuns,
to whom the Oriental world of letten is so deejdy and lastingly
indebted.
About the close of the tenth century of (ha Ghristitti ero»
Sultan Mahmud reigned m die city of Ghezni. He was an
illustrious patron of learned men ; and having acquired glory
by the success of his sword, (for he was sufHrene nder of Za»
blestdn, and part of Khorasdn, and had penetrated very fer into
India,*) he turned his whole attention to the aggrandiaement
of his country, and to the cultivation of useful knowledge.
He framed a project of collecting into one great aad natjcmal
poem, all the reigns of the Persian monorchs from the earliest
times ; and gave directions to search into every accessiUe
depository for chronicles and records, connected with the
history of Irdn. By a happy accident, a valuable mannscrqpt
was discovered admirably calculated fox this purpose^ contain*
ing in one view, all the memorable fwts and events from the
time of Kaiiimuras, the first king of the Peishdadian dynasty,
down to the reign of Yezdejird, with whom the ancient race
of the Persian kings became extinct. This rescued work is
known by the name of SSuJurul Moluk^ or the Boston namA,
and is said to have been found in the plundered library of
Yezderjird; and since that time, to have passed tiu'ough'di^
ferent hands in Arabia, Ethiopia, and Hindoostan. But,
whatever might be the true history of the manuscript, the
Sultan was furnished with a copy of it; and seven of the best
* See Sir W. Jones's «• Hi&tory of Uie Fenian Ungatge,*'.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON P£SSUN POETRY. 289
pocftB were eiQ;aged Id veraifying the work; but it was reser-
▼ed fer tbe genius of Abul Ctiwnm Hasaa ben Mohammed
to execute this vast uadertakii^. The ardour of his mind
wa9 undiiBBiished in &e progress and accomplishment of this
noUe work; and after many years of close application, the
JSSmhmamdk was completed.* It astcmished the eastern world
of letters. Mafamud ordered an elephant load of gold to be
. pi^sei^ied to the author^ and also honoured him with the sur-
name ef FbrdoMiif as having diffused over his court the
deRghU ^P0radim the word FprdmiM signifying Paradue.
But U appears that Firdansi had enemies at court ; and the
chief minister, Ahmed Mymundi, was bent on the ruin of the
favoured poet; in short, Firdausi Ml under the displeasure of
Mahmud, and never received the expected reward of his
labours, bat a present totally inadequate to his merits. He
wrote a recriminadi^ and bitter satire on the injustice of the
Sultan, and fled from his dominions. This celebrated satire
breathed, in glowing language, the most exalted sentiments of
a man conscious of hisown rectitude; .and under tbe conviction,
that independaice of mind is not to be intimidated by the
arbttrary will of power.t
Allured in youth by the glare of poetical fame, and panting
to participate in the capricious favours of the Siillan, this
extraordinary man begged tbe holy benediction of his aged
priest, and exchanged <tlie quiet of his native xnty T^ in
Khorasdn, for the move attractive but more troublesome,
splendour of the court of Ghezni. From this period to the
* It ooonpied die poet thirQr 7«tfB, and was oompleted in the SSith year of
the Hijra, (A. D. 994.) Thia poem has been translated into Arabic prose by
Al Fetah ben A*ly al-Hendary, native of Ispahan, for the gnreat idng I*y<^ ben
cl-A*adelAboQbdvbenAyyonb,andfini8hedin475of AeHyra. (A.D. 1976.)
See Mens. Langlei* Notes to the Recherches Asiatiqoes, p. SS, torn. ii.
t See a fine extraet of this satire in Sir WiUiam Janes' Ftoeaees Adaioo
Conuttsn. Capst siiL
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Bgg^MPg^lMJPf^—— ^— 1^1—^^^^!
230 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
time of his death, he appears, to have been the faFOnrite of
princes, the envy of courtiers, and the sport of fortune. His
fondness for an only daughter is particularly instanced, and the
height of hn ambition was to place her in the first circles of
rank and fortune: and this circumstance is all we at present
know of his domestic character. The period of his death is not
precisely ascertained. SirWilliamOuseley fixes it in the year
of the Hijra 411, (A. J). 1000.) • In the sath>e against Mab-
mud, he acknowledges diat he was more dian seventy, and on
a moderate calculation of the time he spent at Mazindurdn
and Bagdad, he must have been at least eighty when he died.
There are many extraordinary drcumstances connected widi
the life of Firdausi, of which the truth may wdl be doubted,
. and of which I forbear to give an account. Had not the
publicatix)n of the Shah nam^f in eight folio volumes been
suspended, the learned editor, Mr. Lumsden, intended in the
last volume, to present a sketch of Firdausi's life, selected
from the best authorities.
The Skak namehj or history of the Persian kings, is univer-
sally acknowledged to be the greatest monument of eastern
genius. It has survived a period of more than e^ht hundred
years, and its author has lost nothing of the admiradon due
to his wonderful talents, either by the change of times and
circumstances, or by the splendid train of poets who have
succeeded him. Firdausi reigns unrivalled and alone in the
higher regions of Poetry.
The poem is said to consist of more dian sixty diousand
* Oriental CoUeeUoiii, yoL ii. p. 187. Also hif Prefkce to the Tarikh Jehan
Ara, p. xtIL
t BCiijor Maean, well known for his ozteiiBiTe and acenrate knowledge of
PersiaD, is now engac^ed a( Calcutta in a complete editioa of the Shahnaaeh.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON PBB8IAN POBTRT. 281
coopletSi* but it is a known fiict, that scareely two copies of
this fn^eat work or indeed of any Persian poem, are scrupulously
alike in the exact number of couplets, owing to the careless-
ness, %norancey or vanity of transcribers, who alter, omit, or
add, as tiidr fimcy may suggest. A collated and accurate
edition of this prince of Asiatic poets was undertaken by order
of Bayisungbur Khan, one of the descendants of the great
Timour in die year of the Hijra 809, that is in the year 1425 of
the Christian era, corrected from Tarious manuscripts found in
the library of Bayisunghur, some of whidi are supposed to
be nearly contemporary with Firdausi. ^ Could the corrected
copy,'' says Mr. Lumsden, ^ be now obtained, it would very
probably be found superior in pointof authority to every other;
but the pre&ce being followed by a romantic account of the
fiite of the BoMim fMom, before it M\ mto the hands of
Firdausi, and by an account of the life of the poet, partly
true and partly questionable, or absolutely false, has been
therefore attadied to almost every extant copy of the Shah
Namu, and among others to that of the Noowab Buhur
Jung, which was finished, according to the authority of the
transcribe, in the year of the Hyree 821, that is to say, eight
years before the prefkce attached to it had been composed.''t
Tlie rapidity with which some of the Persian writers rersi-
fied, is a matter of astonishment; and the roluminous proofs
still existing, evince, at least, the most unwearied diligence.
Firdausi's facility in composing was wonderfully great; but
* "According to the poet's own itatenMiit, he to the author of 60,000 eoiiplets,
to which 4000 tre generaUy beUered to hsfe hees adfled, in ordet to complete
the plan of the work, by Aradee e Tooiee, the friend and tutor of the poet.*'
t The pnhlioation of m eonplete edition in eight feUo TolasMe, was prdjeoted
afowyearsagoalOaleattm, by die learned Blr.LvnsdeOy collated from tweoty-
seren mamscripts, by a body of natif as of sefcnowledged aeqdrements, bat only
thelmVdviewupriBledattheHpMftbleCk«i|fiiy*spress,ln 1811.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
232 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
the poet Rodnkiy his flaent predecessor, is said to hiv^ written
more than a million yerses !* ,
The Shah nameh is ronarkable for its polish, and the musical
cadence of its Yersification. The measure consists of eleven
syllables, similar to the verse adopted by onr dramatic writers,
with this exception, that the lines in the Persian always rhyme
together in couplets ; and no language in the world is better
adapted to poetry than the Persian, whether we consider its
extent and sweetness, or its easy flexibility for the purposes of
rhyme and verification. The language of Firdausi is nearly
free from the intertexture of Arabic words, and is, in all
probability, but little diffinrent from die dialect in use among
the Persitos about the time of Mohammed, who declared,
*^ Aat Persian would be spoken in die gardens of Pftrtulise, on
account of its extreme sweetness^f
As the poem comprdiends die tradkional history of Irin
from the remotest period,^ die author takes advantage of so
extensive a field of observation for the display of poetical
invention. The wide circuit of Oriental knowledge expands
subservi^t to the will of die poet ; he looks around <m the
whole range of past events, and, like a powerful magician,
calls up around him a creation of endiantment and fiction.
The chivalrous manners of other times are masterly pictures
under his hand, and the g^rander passions of human natnre are
strikingly pourtrayed. Broad tottcbes of pathos, apt similes,
* Aecording to an OrioiUl dlflsertadon entitled Yamini, Rodnki, who pre-
ceded Firdausi about flftj years, oompoeed one ndiUon, three hundred Terses !
t Sir William Jones.
t ^*The Shah Nanra,*' says Mr. Lumsden, ** embraces within the sphere of
its action tlie whole ranfe of Servian histoiy, eHendin^ iimn the lefgn of
Kuyoonoorsythe first king whose name is recorded in traditional story, down to
the reign of Prfaioe TeB^jird, under whose goTemment the empire of Per^ was
finally subverted by the sutoesilU iofieioo of its Moohammodaii eooqaeron.*'
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON PERSIAN POETRY. 233
find strong metaphor^ abontid in hk work. Conceptions of
ELstonii^biDgf grandeur often Btart forth, and a dame of genius
is almost constantly kept alive* It r^, perhaps^ to be regretted,
that tbe author bad not oftener made use of the mytholog-y of
Romance,* and called into action the world of supernatural
beings, the poetic creation of his own country, which could
not have failed to have added interest to tbe conduct of bis
poem : but such imag'ioary a^istance was introduced only on
desperate occasions. t
Id an historical poem ofsueb magiiitude, comprising at least
a period of three thousand seven hundred years, much poetical
machinery was necessary to animate andcmbellinb tbe reigns of
some of tbe Persian Mouarchs> and to break the dull arrange*
meat of events incident to the nature of tbe work. But a skilful
complication of circumstances, an artifice to raise mystery or
uncertainty, and to eKcite and keep in suspense the interest of
the reader, are excellences not to be found in the Shah uam^h^
Battles succeed battles, heroes follow heroes, stories relating
to each other, are ingrafted on stories ; and in so long a poem,
the reader must be prepared to expect uninteresting details
and tedious narratives j but it must be confessed, that many of
tbe epui^des are truly ex^juisite, and his personal descriptions,
whether of heroes or of female beauty, have im common merits
His battle^cenes are in general, described with much spirit
• IraHr or Persia may perhaps he considered as th* birth-pkce of romance;
horn thi» country ii emanated into Arabia and other pfert^. The Arttbian Tales ^
of a tkoMxtind and on/e ni^kU, are aow genemlly belisTed to be of PorsJan or
Indian orient and adupted to ttie national taste of the Arabian*. Von Hammer^
from a passage In Masudl, la tlecidcdly of opluioathat the Arabiaa NLg^hlsare
of Intiian or Peisian origin, and ivere denominated Uesttr J^ffiJi, or '^ The
Thousand Fables," He tMnki the tale» wore tr&n^latod from tbe Persian into
Arabic tu Che reign of the Calif Al Mamun,
t See Seott Waring^'a Tour to Slur«z, p. IGL Many beautiful passages
from the Bhabnameh and other Pertko workSf are q^uoted in tids very bterenbg
tear.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
234 ME. NATHANIBL HOWARD
and picloresqne effect. As a spedmen,! beg to extract the
combat between Gord-afrid and Sohrab, which is exactly the
Clorinda of Tasso engaging Tancred in the third canto of
Giemsalemme Liberata. I am aware that the natural effect
of translation must be inferior to the original, I have how*
ever attempted a tolerably close version.
Sohrab, a young warrior, the legitunate, but as yet the
unacknowledged son of the celebrated Rostum, condacfing
the Turanian armies against Irdn, is opposed in his progress^
at the ** White Fortress," by the formidable Hiy ir, whom the
youthful hero meets in single combat, and after a hard straggle^
overthrows. Gord-afrid* a warlike princess and spectatress of
the combat, is plunged in the greatest distress at the discom^
fiture of the champion, and resolves to wreak vengeance on
the youthftil conqueror. After the ovisrtbrow of Hujir, As
poet proceeds thus:
Fair Oord-afrld, Uie martial maid*
This sad disoomfttiire iiinrey'd.
Saw her bold Chai^ioii captife aade^
And shed abltter iood of woe :
Sighs from the royal maiden came.
And, though keen anguish shook her frame.
It kindled in her breast a flame
To wreak prompt Tenganoe on the foe.
She sobb*d, as if her heart would break ;
While Itte a tolip blnsh*dher cheek:
WhatcanriMdof In beanteona haste
Her Mr ronad limbs in mail she brac*d ;
Her head a€lreciaa helmet t grae'd.
Momtfing her charger, onward prano*d
The warrior maid. Pds*din her hand
A dasiiing light her jaYetin glancU
Floating beftnre the Toran band,
A ftdcon in her flight she came :
* (ford«q/rlcf literally sigidfles Wanior'b&m.
t Firdansi frecpiently mentions the ** Gredan helmet.'*
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ON PERSIAN POETRY. 235
" Champions I tf any bear tbat uiDf »
Give nie^" she cried, *^ m single flght,
A warnioTotsd, generous kn%ht.
Who in the Itsis of anus has thriveo t—
WtUnone ibe blow of Talour deal ?
Of all who grace yoar Uaes of steel
W0 D0Ge accept my cbaJlenf e given V*
The youthful Hero thus delled,
Was wrolh, and bit hit Up of pride :
'* Another deer to strike or kill —
Cotne on, young W&nior, hate tby aa^HI/'
In banusfi*d helm and coirass dreasM,
Onward his fretted »t^d he pressed*
In rlral gallantr^r and grace.
The combatants met f^ce to fice.
8 he seem*d a knight of cornel j show,
And twang-M alert her golden bow^
And opened all her arrowy play
A^akst thai crated bird of prey*
From right to left, despite his mail.
He rued the pelting iron bail i
And bitterly that brunt he took*
Still foit'd In every ilirust and stroke.
At len^, to barntng fyen^y wrought,
Hb buckler o^'er his bead he brought ;
Sternly the tempest he witbitood^
Though many a point had tasted blood. '
With dexterous easct ber bow yet strung',
The moid across her shoulder ftmi^.
Then urg'd ber aleed lo full career,
And, riiing, whirled a wrathful spear
On griCT'd Sobrabj who stoophsg low
Hung aide way from the erring blow.
He, like a tiger, in that fray,
Or barst of lightning, on her rose
Dilated la bb might, to close
With one dire erusK the doubt fill day*
^ He threw his ponderous spear, nor mln'd ;
The keen^oint enteriDg at ber wHst^
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396 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
And glancing upward, grazM her breast,
Finding its way out by her crest.
Sohrab, with desperate Tigonr fraught.
Struck at her girdle-belt so true.
The faithless armour piece-meal flew.
He hurl'd his spear with giant force.
Which push'd her midway off her horse :
She stagger8,-<»but the spear well caught,
Quickly a scimitar she drew,
And cut th* offenslTe shaft in two.
Stem to the Youth she rais'd her head,
Thoujgh not his equal — fair awhile
False Hope and Fortune seem*d to smile.
Bat, fickle now as eyer, fled.
The Victor, with his sweeping blow.
Comes in harsh contact with his Foe,
Strikes off the helmet from its place.
And sees, surpris'd, a Woman's Uae!
Her look, her bloom, her braided hatr
Might well a Taliant heart insnare.
Sohrab, to hide, his blushes, strove.
But largely, deeply, drank of Ioyo:
'* Yes— Iran's * maids haye wonderous charms.
Their beauty matchless as their arms I
Fly not, sweet Valour I for *tis rare
A Deer, like you, conies to my snare,
O tell me. Princess, why you court.
Dread War,— -to man e*en dangerous sport 2 '^
Slow to the Youth thus loye-assail'd,
Her eyes, her yisage she unyell'd.
Forwhatcanbaflled^ydo,
But set her loyeliness to yiew t
She baited well her sweet discourse.
With melting words of winning force :
^hram has both syUables loni^, bat it is cnstomary to accent It on the last.
This word is written Htm In the inscripUons of Kirmam ihah, but the learned
Silyestre de Sacy obseryes, that In the ancient dialect of Persia r and I are
often eonfoonded, See Recherches Aslatlqaes. Tom. 9f p. 70.
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ON PERSIAN POETRY. 237
** Warrior ! thy bravery's worth I know,
Thoa parriest well a Woman's blow.
Thy soldiers deem me yet a knight,
But if thesa tresses dark I show,
Soldiers the ready gibe will throw.
And bid dishonour on thee light.
I should be loath they wrong thy skill, —
So keep my sex a secret still.
Meantime, I tender to thy care
Our fortress, and our treasurea there.'*
When Oord-aftid her Teil withdrew.
Her cheeks seem'd rosea bath'd in dew ;
Warm blushing, as when morning dawns.
Shaming the peach in Uoom and hue ;
While firom her eyes, so like the fawn's,
Shelangh'd up Ioto in every glance.
And plnng'd Sohrab in strangest trance I
Stni to his gaze she lovelier grew—
StUl opening graces dawn'd to view.
**Heed well your promise. Maid of War,
The castle's ponderous gates unbar :
And if you reck not what you hear,
Ye know the prowess of my spear.
We snap the reed on which you trust.
And raze your fortress to the dust"
The'Princess nought in antwer gave.
But turning quidL her charger brave,
Right to the castle won her way.
Triumphant in her Beauty's sway.*
The following description of the Persian army, inarching to
battle, possesses in the original much g^phic effect.
The army mov'd in dose array ;
The earth seem'd moving aa they past ;
Each banner drank the flames of day ;
Eadi shield a knot of sunbeams east.
One parting squadron shap'd their way
Across a desert, where the eye
* See Persian Extncts-*Appendix, No. 8.
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238 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
Descried lor shrab, nor terdire nigh;
The iron land was bald and dry.
Careering dust in clouds op flew,
Where'er the datterlng horsemen rode ;
The sky was Indigo in hne,
^As ebony the groimd they trod.*
From stage to stage, in flying liaste.
O'er plain, o'er hill, o'er lengtheniBg waste.
The legions darkening as they went,
Chtve life to miles of throng'd extort.
Their arms, so dagriing their display,
Dimm'd the 'odd radianoe of the day.
Their polish'd tridents, spariLUng spears,
Seem'd through the dost that hong between.
Dun iires behind an asnre sereen. t
One broad effnlgenoe all appears !
From banners, lanoes, golden shields.
And Ught-gold sandals, yon would say
Some opening dond, blu6-bosom*d, yields
Showers of btighl amber oW the way. *
The episode of Sohrab conclades with the hapless deadi of
the noble youth, who fell by the hand of his own father. The
agony of Rostum, on discovering his youthful antagonist to be
his son by the sight of the well known hraoekiy now first
presented to his view; his paroxysm of aognish and remorse,
in setting flames to his snp^b green pavilion and banners,
which had so intensely interested his anxiously-inquiring son,
when he first saw the Persian encampment from a distant emi-
nence: and the frantic and inconsolable sorrow of Tafamfnah,
on learning the death of her ill-fated Sohrab, are finely
described by Firdausi, and constitute, perhaps, die most beau-
tiful part in the jSfto&naiieA. The prescribed limits to which this
* See Persian Bxtraets— >Appendlz, No. 4*
t See Persian Bxtf act i —A ppendix No. 5.
* Literally thns: '*From the nnmerons jaTelins, banners, golden shields,
and golden slippers, thon wonldst have said that ebony-ooloiired douds were
showering down Sandaraca.** See Appendix, No. 6.
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ON PERSIAN POBTRT. 239
paper must be confined, will only allow me to translate freely
a part of the combat ofRostum and Sohrab.
SzlNiiutodf'btflled, each unclasps
His frustrate hold, o'erspent and slow ;
Sohrab Ida maoe that instant grra8|)s.
And, quickly levelling, stuns his foe.
Not long^ lay ;— for, when he felt
Btftuming sense, and sight, and breath.
Panting he rose, and loosM his belt,
Bmsh*d from his brow a damp like death:
Then, raisM his troubled eye, and pray*d
For power and supernatural aid.
Again they wrestle, limb to limb.
They writhe, they deal the stunning blow ;
Their eyes with gore and dust half-dim,
While down the blood and toil-drops flow.
Thehr heads and throats are backward east ;
The bloody struggle cannot last,— •
The Youth grows faint in heart and power.
And Fortune, in tliat dark*ning hour.
Abandons him to worse than woe.
Look, look— 4o horrid frenzy wrung.
His nerres with force unnat'ral strung,
TheRo6tumUfts^-he sways him round.
By Heaven ! he brings him to the ground ;
But hopes not to secure him there-
Alas I the lifted blade is bare,
A moment more, and all is done.
The Fatbbu, with a madman's air.
Plunges the poniard in his Som !
** Brave heart ! the Touth, feint sighing, said,
** Since thou hast spilt this blood of mine.
Know, Destiny will thirst for thine,
Nor rest, 'tiU thy heart's blood be shed.
O oould I see my Father's ftee.
Far dearer than ray life now spilt,
*Twould soothe me e'en in death*s embrace.*—
But, hide thee, stranger, where thou wilt.
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240 MR. NAXaANIEL HOWARD
In gloom, where light its indle iie*er threw.
In air, or under oeeui^s flood.
My Father RonuM will pursne
And slake his Tengeanoe In thy blood.**
StonnM Rostom indisthictly heard his i
A damp, a dreary horror seizM his frame ;
Sight, memory, sense, forsook his wilderM brain,
He fell as one by lightning struck, and slain !
At length, he woke as from a dream
Of harrowing torments dark and wild ;
He rose, and with a stifled scream,
Gaz*d Tacantly upon his child I
'* O dear one I curse me not— 4hough I haTe shed
Thy life-blood,-*heap not curses on my head.
Fob, I AM RosTUM !— One, ere now.
With nothing damning on my brow.
Nor hurried blindly to destroy
My braTe, my beauteous, only Boy I —
What! can I think on this, and live?
No, no**— he cried, and gasM on Hearen.
• • • • •
• « • « *
The Father o*er his Son bewildered knelt,
Unlac*d the mail, undid the galling belt.
And laid Ids lab*riug bosom bare :
Great God ! upon his arm a proof too true,
•The well-known Bracklbt met his startled Tiew!-
The Father starap*d ; he tore his hair,
In all the haggardness of woe ;
And yet no burning tears would flow.
Sohrab, though near life*s latest throe,
Look*d all the Son forth from his eyes.
And thrice he tried, in Tain, to rise ;
** Nay, Father, sob not— 4his is worse
To bear than death-pangs, or to fUl
Beneath a Parentis dreaded curse.
Or pine and pine In foreign land ;
Of deaths, *tis sure, the best of all.
To perish by a Father's hand.**
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At tills mometit, the father, in great agony of miDil^ sendn
GodurZf the Persian Nestor, to the Shah Ka-^08, requeicrtiti^
the medicated draugfht, or soTcreigfti bali^Htn, which had puwer
to arrest the pro^es^i of deaths but the Shah unfeelingly
refuses to part with it» and the youth dies. •
Distracted Fnther ! what a? all
Thy ^ormeiita rent, thy frantic vrail ?
Why scatter duat upon thy hair I
Why ffimw thy Imods, as fault lay there f
*' Wretch that ! am ! how coul4 I thirst
For kindred blo^d I — Father ft«ettrst I
When Iho sad tolOf with many a tear,
Shall reach his doaling iiicither*^ ear.
How will she loattu in horror wild,
The mardercr of her gtoriouE^ child f
Abandon *d to the aiorm of woe,
Hov vrlll she wrin^ her handi and $hHet£ I
And can i^he bear the shor^k ! ah no !
Dear G<id 1 ft mother^* heart will break/*
O'er Rositim^s mind no comfort beftm*d;
I Thefi5 alL was dark, thero sorrow seemed
To set a gloom so deep aod drear*
WMch not theamibof honvea could ehi!cr>
Mcantlmo the pr«eloU9 corpse thoy bid
In silenec!, otj the solemn bier ;
And o'lir th<? ptitlid face thoy spread
A reg&l minUe of brocade^
Slowly moT'd on !he saddenM iraiw-,
And loudly faU*d the fuoeral strain,;
Soldiers, long worn in arms as years.
With youthful warriors mixM their tcari*
The sacred burden^ sad and slow,
Near Hostum's gorgeous tent they bore ;
When lo ! In one great burst of woe.
As life and war, at once, were o'eTf
The Father, witJi a burning inreh,
In 6ames st^t all his martial show;
The jiroud paf lUon, banner *d porch,
lYlazM in a laaw of ^pouling Uro f
Q a
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242 ^R* NATHANIEL HOWARD
Mid crackling smoke, red tiirges roHM
0*er Us dimm'd throne, and bed of fold !
All eyes upon that flaming pyre
Are bent, and wailings fierce and high
Rose with that brilliance to the sky.
And that green canopy's display.
Nought, but a bed of ashes, lay.
Thus vanishM all his pomp : — so all
However grreat, to dust most ftdl.
The excessive grief of the mother, and the circumstances
attending the remoyal of the body to Sejestan (a province
held with Zabulstan by Rostum, as a fief from the Shah of
Irin,) are too long to be introduced in this paper.
Many poems in professed imitation of the Shah nameh have
been written, as the Sam, Lohrasp, Gurshasp, Sohrab, Buh-
mdn, and Isfundiyar namehs ; most of these works, we are
informed by Mr. Lumsden, are still extant, but that he was
not able to procure anywhere a single copy, though the acqui-
sition of such poems would have been of great service in
detecting interpolations, and correcting the text of Firdausi.
The Persian poets are remarkable for their minute description
of beauty, and are sure to mention frag^rance as its inseparable
accompaniment. The usual metaphor for a graceful form is the
cypress, or sabin tree; the eye is compared to the narcissus;
and a beautiful countenance to the moon. The black musky
ringlets, die slow languish of a dark eye, the arched eye-brow,
the r^^larly set teeth, are always distinctly described, from
Firdausi, down to the Persian poets of the present day, as
essential to female beauty.*
* A Persian writer has applied no less than six compounds in the following
conplet in praise of his mistress, and which may be regarded as general epithets.
**A moon-fkced, musk-scented, heart-alluring, soul-delighting, heart-deceh1ng»
moon-like (beauty.) See Sir W. Jones's Persian Grammar, admirably improved
by the learned Professor Lee, page 80.
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ON PEHSIAN POETRT. 24^
KliakaiLt says* " tby eye-brow is like the new moon, "• Fir-
dausi, describing Manizha atid Sitara, the daughters of Kivg
Afmsiab, beautifully adds ; "Witli tbem are Turkish girls, all
with their faces veiled, all with forms like the cypress, and
locks like musk; all with cheeks full of roseJi, eyea full of
deep; all with lips full ofwiue^ with the fragrance of rose*
water/'t
>Sfaake8peare isays :
**Mj LoTe, her mistress, U a gracious Moon^*' X
*' She came in ttU her beauty, like the Noon from the cloud of tim €aaF." Oitmn*
It uiay be here obaerred^ that a young fawn» or gazelle*
conveys an image of peculiar tenderness to the mind of an
Asiatic^ and is a term often applied to a beautiful woman,
J*^rdausi^ like MoTneti gives nincli colonrt strength and con-
ciseness to bis similes, Horner^ for example, represents a chief
in war, iatm \toPTa^ like a lion, \vmi «#£, like wolves. So
jFlrdausi describes a hero rushing to battle **like a raging
lion," § "like a wolf/' or " mad elephant," ** like a crocodile,
or '' like a moving mountain/'
1
Many a periphrasis, in the true spirit of Poetry, may be
found among Arabic as well as Persian poets, A few of the
more general expressions may be mentioned* Hafez calls
, ** the flaming ruby,"|| " the liquid ruby/* which is nearly
• Bee PersiaD Extracts — AppenJlx^No^S.
t See Pemaa ExtrsctE — Appendix, No. 0,
t Lore's Labour Lost, Act 4, 8» 3. St^ al»o CorbUioiig, Act 5, 8. 3. For
more on this subject, see Atkinson's elegant notes to his free Tersioa of Sohrab,
\ See Persian E^tracts^^ Appendix, No. 10»
II Sae Persian Extract*— Appendix, No, 1 1,
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244 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
the language of Milton, who calls fdne 'Uhe dancing ruby
sparkling out-pour'd/' Mohammed, however, st^matises
trine as " the mother of sinners."* Sir William Jones, in his
beautiful Latin Commentaries on Asiatic Poetry, remarks that
Abu^loltty an Arabian poet, desigfnates doves as '* the daughters
of sadness ;"t echo is called '< the daughter of the mountain ; "f
and wine^ ^^ the daughter of the grape ; "§ and he shews that
the Greek poets use the same figure of speech, for Pindar calls
wincy afiwtKov TToi^a, "the son of the vinef^ and showers^
vai^ac vefeXt^Ci " the children of the cloud ;" and day, he terms
irai^' aXiovy "the child of the sun." Cheeremonll in l6 calls
flowers eapoi TBKva^ "the children of spring :** and it may
be added that Horace calls a ship^ fabricated from a pine-tree,
sylrcB filia nobilis, " the daughter of a noble wood."
Among many allusions to which Asiatic poets are attached,
the poetic love of die " Rose and Nightingale " is most
frequent. The Persian bulbul is said to resemble our night-
ingale in the compass and excessive sweetness of its notes. It
sings by night, and its melody is by no means suspended
during the day .IT Jami says, " You may place a hundred
handfuls of fragrant herbs and flowers before die nightingale,
* See Persian Extracts— -Appendix, No. 18.
t See Persian Extracts— appendix, No. IS. Ah! these daughters of sadness
render me sleepless.
X See Persian Extracts— Appendix, No. 14. In the Syriac tcko is styled the
«< daughter of voice." The Italians call the nightingale " Tooe pennata,** '* the
feathered voice.*'
§ See Persian Extracts— Appendix, No. 16.
II yidei4fAefi.Ub.xiii.
f See Sir William Ooseley^s Persian Miscellanies, page 140.
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ON PfiR8IAN POETRY. 245
yet he wkhea not, ia hk cotistant heart, for more than Ibi*
(5ueet br^tli of his beloved rose."*
Exc^^fiBtve and ovei^tmined metaphors, and an unnatural
inflation of language, are fantts ascribed to Asiatic poets in
general. In many instances, particularly among inferior an-
thors, the acensation may be admitted as just; but "we also
know tliat a similar censure may be passed on many European
writers of no elevated genius. In the Eastern climate, it must
be confessed, that this growth of false taste seems to be more
prevalent; but a warm imaginatioti, under ibe influeuce of a
burning sun and a luxurious system of life, will not readily
submit to the rules of a cold and severe judgment; besides,
which, Asiatic works on the principles of Poetry and Rhetoric
are of an unpbilosophic description, and possess no power to
regulate public taste. The Oriental poets seem to have been
left entirely to the ebullitions of their glowing imaginations,
We may question, too, whether the accusation of extrava-
gance and bombast may not rather attach to Eastern writers
of prose rather than of verse ; for this vice of style seems to
have originated in the slavish adulation and hyperbolical
language usually oflTered up^ in petitions, at the throne of
Asiatic monarcbs, whose vanity will not be satisfied unless
overwhelmed with a torrent of high sounding epithets. It is,
therefore, to be feared, that m?uiy Europeans, judging only
from the inflated language of the court, have passed an indis-
criminate sentence upon all Asiatic writers; though, it must
be confessed, that many excellent authors^ from a mistaken
notion of ciothiug their thoughts in dignified language, have
too often degenerated into inflation and bombast,
Firdausi seldom indulges tn a turgid and extravagant style;
but a simple and beautiful diction pervades the whole poem.
' Seo Persian Extrncls — AppenJiii No. 10,
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246 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
In SO long a work many inequalities will necessarily be found;
and Firdausi may be charged with occasional puerilities of
thought, and meanness of expression ; but he is seldom guilty
of die Ibarati Rengheen,* or flowery style, in which subse-
quent poets have more or less indulged.
Sadist who is, perhaps, the next poet to Firdausi in excd-
lence, makes use of the flowery style in some part of his
dedications and poetical prefaces; but many of his bobs or
* Not only poets, bat writers of prose too often indulge themseWes in this
vidous style. We may quote from soTeral authors, but one specimen from the
4khlak MuhMiny of Hussein Vaiz Kashifl will suffloe. <'The falcon of the
wisdom of each perfect man takes its flight in the atmosphere of the pnuse of
Alexander, for this reason, that the phoBuiz of his ambition did not stoop her
head to the bone of the firagments of this world. Verses : Thou, the lalcon of
the royal wrists, look not upon bones ; gi?e a lofty flight to the phcenix of thy
ambition.*' This is a literal translation.
Notwithstanding the numerous instances of the IbaraH Rengheen in his
writings, Kashifi is an author of great merit. His Anwari Soheily, or Persian
paraphrase of the Kalila Dumna, or Pilpay*s Fables, in fourteen chapters, is an
elegant work. It was finished in the end of the 15th century, when he resided
at the court of Sultan Hussein Abul Ghazy Behadnr, soferelgn of Khorasan.
SeTcral eoneetU from Marino, and other minor poets of Italy and Spain, are
nearly of the same colouring ; firom our own poetry of the time of Elizabeth
we may gather many of these wild conceits, and not a few in Shakespeare. The
romantic wish of Juliet that her Romeo ** might be cut out into little ttan after
his death, and made to adorn the face qfthe heavens" is of this sort : also wheo
our immortal poet, describing the blood on the body of the murdered Duncan,
says—
** Here lay Duncan, his eilver skin lae*d with bis golden blood.*'
In another place he exclaims, in the true spirit of an Asiatic*^
*' Her bed is India— there she lies a pearl.**
t Musle-Huddeen Shaikh Sadi is called by Jami *nhe nightingale of thr
grofes of Shiraz.*' Bee Persian Extracts— Appendix, No. 17.
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ON PERSIAN POETRY. 247
cbapterg m tlie GutwtoMf'* and Im poem entitled Bostnn^
are models of elegant writing, and generally free from tbin
blettufifa.
The Gulutan^ or Bose^Garden '\^ the most celebrated pro-
duction of Sadi; it exhibits sentiments of liberty and iudepen*
deuce, which seem ill-suited to the slavish adulation which
surrounds an eastern court. Tbe whole work i^ an intermixture
of prose and verse of nearly equal proportions. The style of
the prose is of a novel description, when compared with the
prose iu use among Europeans; for it is highly ^oli^hed, and
part of it poetical, a kind of composition known ^mong the
Orientals by the name of Mertij^jaz having measure without
rhyme « Sadi is fond of antttht^is, so that one part of his
sentence is often a balance to the other : and bis pro^e is
oecasiotially sprinkled with rhyme, which is a species of com-
position called Memj^jah, having rhyme without measure.
The work consists of eight Mj^>^ or chapters containing tales
or apologues on the eonduet of kings; un the morals of dur-
weshes; on the excellence of content; on the advantages of
taciturnity; on love and youth; on imbecility and old age;
on the effects of educatiou ; and rules for conduct in life.
The fifth chapter on love and youth is (he most exceptionable
in a moral point of view, and the language is intentionally
ambiguous, and sown thicker with Arabic sentences than
either of the other chapters.
The Boston is a long and regular poem in rhymed couplets^
* TheQulistan w^ finished A« D, 12fid. OenLios has imbUshed a Latin
traaslation of it, undet the name of nosarium FQtUicMttt* Mr. Gladwin tritn£-
laled tht^ Guliat&n Inlo EogLUhf and Mr. Rosa ho^ lately piiblisbi'd aDolher
EDgli&h TerMoD of the work, and {vromiAei the pabVic atranslaEion of the Bostan,
iwblch Is a great desideratani. Anew edUlon of the originaJ Pcrsjaa has lately
b«cn publkbed tLt Caleutta, viith a com|>cndiaus commentary, and dicdonary of
the more difflcuU words, by Moolvy JuixmuEuddy*
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248 MR. NATHANIEL HOWARD
of'the same measure as the Shah namehy the works of Nizdmi^
aud other voluminous authors. The imagery and sentiments
are of a very high order, and the language is, in genera],
beautifully simple. Among other productions of Sadi, we
may enumerate the Molamaatj or the Rays of Light, a collec-
tion of miscellaneous poems ; six Rasallahs, or tracts in prose;
a Diwarif or collection of Oazeb or odes ; Arabian and Persian
Ccuidahs or elegies; a variety of mystical Oazehj dirges,
and other poems. The KhuMsaat^ or prose and poetry on
impure and ludicrous subjects, is also attributed to him, a
composition decorated with all the graces of seductive poetry.
If Sadi be really the author of this work, (of which there is
little doubt,) it is lamentable to think, that one capable of
producing poetry of so much beauty and morality, should at
another time, so far prostitute his talents, as to add the most
tempting fascinations to licentiousness and sensuality. It is
said, however, that he afterwards endeavoured, in an Arabic
introduction to that work, to palliate it by observing, that he
thought it would communicate a relish to his moral productions,
as ** salt is used in the seasoning of food.''
Sadi was one of the Shaikhs, or superiors of the religious
order of Durweshes, a kind of Mohanunedan monks ; and
spent all his life in travelling into foreign countries. He lived
to a very advanced age, upwards it is said of a hundred years,*
and was buried at Shiraz, his native city, which Baron Revicski
calls the " Jlthens of PergiaJ'
Mohammed Shemseddin, sumamed Hafi2,t is the most
popular poet of Irdn. He was born at Shiraz, and enjoyed
* Dowlat Shah and Ibrahim Khan affirm that Sadi lived a hundred and two
years ; but Jami reports him to have been older. AU-ben-Ahmad enumerates
twenty-two books as the entire works of Sadi. See the English version of the
Gulistan, by James Ross, Esq.
t Ht{fiz signifies accurate ob$erv(Uion and perfection.
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ON PERSIAN POETRY. S49
the luunificeitt patronage of Timour, iiDproperly called
Tamerlane. In bis youth he was addicted to comririal plea*
sure» atid dissipation ; but toward the decline of life he
devoted himself entirely to religious duties and penance : and*
notwithstanding the liberality of his patrons^ he died in neees-^
f;itous circumstauoas, and was buried at Mosella, near Sbira2«
The works of Hatiz chiefly consist of GazetSf differing only
from the Camdahf elegy or rather idyl, as to length; for the
Ga^el seldom exceeds seventeen couplets^ and sometimes only
seven or eight ; and the ShiJi^hayit^* or last stanza, generally
includes the Tokhullus^ or poetic name of the writer, Thia
species of ode is a little gein as to polish, delicacy^ and beauty |
lively images aod picturesque ex pressiions impart elegant life to
it. Hafiz is unrivalled in this kind of graceful poem ; he resem*
liles Anacreon^ or rather Horace in some of his lighter piecesi
and the tender spirit of Petrarch breathes in others. He is said
to have MTitten at least six hundred guzeU^ t but manuscripts
vary as to the number of these little poems. His images are
drawn fresh from nature^ and in mo^t instances are aptly ap*
plied. In his most elevated ode, he is carried away by a hold
and abrupt spirit almost amounting to sublimity j but the
subject of love and conviviality is more congenial to bis
feelings.; Whether the allusions to the sakey or cup»bearer,
-I
* Shak-bajfit, or bing-conpleL
^ St« Appendix to Binillej'a Hafle* About a hundred of Ihese gazeU haf • «
been tranBlatcd by Hevlc^ki, Jones, Oyseley, Iliodkyf Nott^ and WahL
t As a specimen of Hafiz, tho foOowiBg literal Tcrsion of one of his fa^elft
Tufty afford an tmperfect Idea ; I iTomUEo from the Lithographle odltioo^ pub^
Usbed at CatcaUa, I B2d. ^
Sweet is lb* atea ofibe pardon bpsioiitEis pleas a re^ aid the soeiety of fflendf ,
May the season of ro«e9 be propitious, for tbat is tbe time agreeable to win«
drinkers.
Our aonl is sweetened by tt<r\ fr^grtai breatb of the morning breete : ye%
jm — and the pei-fume of tbe sotUi of loTer» is iwaet*
Th^ luopeiied ro«e«Tdl haa ibown its iatention of depirtui-i; maka thy
II w.
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250 1^^ NATHANIEL HOWARP
saj&eqaent in Hafiz and other Sufi poets^ are to be referred t#
the ardour of devotional mysticism and all^ory, or to be
understood in a plain sense, is doubtful, t Many of his odes
partake largely of the religion of die Sufies, which ^appears
to be a compound of the philosophy of Plato and Berkeley.
They conceive that die light or spirit of Grod illuminates all
diings, and wbich, being reflected on us, is the cause of our
perceptions. Persuaded of this truth, they behold all things
with sympathy, as sharing in common with themselyes in the
bounties of the Essential One."*
The Mcunavif is a iaf ourite species of verse, in couplets,
consisting of eleven syllables, with a strong accent on the last
syllable of each foot.^ Long poems are written in this mea-
sure. The Masnavi is generally employed on subjects of lov^
or on descriptions of a cheerful and delightful kind, as the
lamentation, O nightingale ! for soonds from the heart of wounded lopen art
iweet.
May the night-warbling bird bring joyfbl tidings, since in the road of love its
nightly complainings are sweet to sleepless lojers.
Althoogh in the bazar of the world there is nothing of heart-happiness, ezeept
Its name, the blandishments of the ni6jf draught, and the cheerftdness of the
temperate are sweet.
From the tongne of the lily this Toioe came to my ear, that, in this doll, worn-
out age, the occupation of the light-burdened is sweet.
O Hafiz I to bid adieu to the ways of the world is dear to the heart, so do not
suppose that the drcnmstances of the worldly-minded are pleasant.
t See more on this subject in Hindley*s Hafiz, p. 8,
* Scott Waring*s Tour to Shiraz, p. 320. BeautiM Torsions of some of the
odes of Hafiz, Mohtushim, Ruqueeb, and Jam!, are to be found in this yery
interesting tour.
t Or according to the Arabic pronunciation Matknavi,
X Sir William Jones exemplifies the measure in the following Latin dlsticb—
Jane pater, Jane tuens, omnium
Prindpium, fons, et origo Deum.
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ON PERSIAN POETRT. 251
charms and pleasures of spring* : or, in a word, on any subject,
whatever be its length, of an agreeable or pathetic nature, and
capable of being embellished with the graces of poetry.
Nizimi is an author of great excellence in this species of
poem. He is remarkable for his strength of conception, rich-
ness of imagery, and for diction, in general fresh and beautiful ;*
but the frequent terseness and compression of thought in his
couplets render him often obscure and mysterious. Some of
his poems are avowedly allegorical, and deeply imbued with a
qpirit of Sufeism. Nizimi is also valuable fiur much curious
and historical matter scattered through his works, particularly
in his Sekander namehy or history of Alexander the Great,
whidi is decidedly one of the most beautiful productions of the
east; many of the exploits described in the poem coincide with,
and many differ from, the received accounts of the Grecian and
Roman Histories. The aodior has often confounded the
romantic adventures of the ancient monarch of the east, Iska^
dor dki^lKareeHf or having two horns, implying his conquests
from east to west, and who is mentioned in the Kordn, Surdt
18, with the achievements of Iskander Errvmij or Alexander
the Macedonian. His other works are held in high estimation,
among which we may mention his fascinating romance of
Khorru and Skireen, founded on the story of Khosru the son
of Hormuz, sumamed Parviz or Victorious, who reigned in
Persia at the time of Mohammed, and his romantic fondness for
his beautiful mistress Shireen. Indeed, all Nizdmi's writings
abound in fine Oriental imagery, pleasing allegories, and much
useftil learning. Sir William Jones has translated, in prose,
twenty tales and fables from Makhzem EsroTf or Treasure of
Secrets, and is of opinion that an English version of all the
works ofthis author is agreatdesideratunu Among his other
* 6ir William Ooseley quotes tliis distich of Hafis in praise of Nizami^
'*The poetry of Nizami, in the whole circle of ancient writers, has no equal for
grace and elegance of language.**— Persian Miscellanies, p. 77. See Persian
Sxtraott-^Appendix.
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252 IkUL NATHANIEL HOWARD
celebrated poems are the Heft Peiqur or Seyen Forms, contain-
ing the romance of Baharam or Burham Gimr who lost his
life in huntmg ; ♦ the EsrarUdUAshikin or Secrets of Loyers;
and the story of Leila and Mejnun.
As a specimen of Nizimi's style of composition, I b^ to
extract a few lines which precede the fine description of the
hostile armies, and the fall of Darius, translated by Sir William
Ouseley from the Sekander nameh.
** Tha ifraeefhl motioii of tbe cerulean sphere,
With Its orbits, the stars, and moon, and svn.
Think not that they haje been made for idle sport.
Or that this foir curtain (the canopy of heaTen) has been formed in Tidn.
In this glorious web no thread is without its use.
Though the end (or object) of It may be concealed from us.
Who knows what is to happen to-morrow?
Or that which shall yet remain in obscurity :
Can we tell the man whose affdrs Fortune shall direct t
Or him with whose life Destiny shall sport?
Can we point out him who to-morrow shall be brought forth a lifUeta
corpse from his habitation ?
Or him on whose brow Prosperity shall place a diadem?
Who knows, on this day which we now trample under foot.
What blood of heroes may haTc been shed ?*'
The MathMm or Magnaxi by Jelal«uddin, snmamed Rftmi,t
is a work of great g^iius, and contains passages of exquisite
beauty and pathos : but, in his ardour, the poet abandons him-
self to the most extravagant and abrupt allusions, by which
he frequently becomes unintelligible to his readers. Sir
William Jones, in his Essay on the Mystical Poetry of the
Persians and Hindus, has giren a very beautiful version, in
couplets, of the Introduction to die Masnanii and in the
* Hunting the Gfor, from the earliest period, was a faTorite pastime among
the Princes of Persia.
-V Sumamed RitmU because he settled in the lower Asia. The Orientals
gave the name Rum to TuAey, Greece and the whole Roman Empire.
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/ ON PERSIAN POETRY, ^=J
tatalogtie of Oriental maouscripts^ he tlius speaks of tlio poem ;
*• so extraordinary a bwik as the Majmavi was tiever^ perhaps,
composed by man. It abounds in beauties and blemishes
equ^lty great: with great obscenity^ and pure ethics; with
exquisite strains of poetry, with flat puerilities; with wit and
pleanantryvmixed with dull jests; with ridicule on all estab^
lished religions, and a vein of sublime piety: it is like a wild
country in a fine climate of^erspread with rich flowers^ and the
ordure of bea«t«. T know of no writer, to whom the Mania vi*
can justly be compared, except Chaucer and Shakespeare/^
Jatni*8 works are said to consist of forty diderent composi*
tions in prose and verse, in Persian and Arabic ;$ but his best
production is undoubtedly bis fine poem of I'Woii/'o Zeleekha^
founded on the history of Joseph and Zeleekha bis Egyptian
mistress, whom the Arabians also call UaiL Jam! has drawn
his materials from the chapter of Joseph in the Kordn^ and
extended bis poem to about four thousand couplets. The late
Professor White of Oxford^ In an appendix to the Institutes
of Timour^ has affixed an admirable version of the sublime
opening of this poem. * <
Among other authors of esteem among the Persians, we
must not omit Hatifi, the nephew of Jami, celebrated for his
poem on the loves of Leila and Mejnnn^ a subject on which
^'izimi, Jamif and others have written, Abdonlah Hatifi is
also the author of the loves of Khosnt mid Shireeu; the Heft
Manzar containing the loves of Buhrim Gour ; and the
Timur namekf or the hUtory of Timur^ He died in the year
* He ii ftlso called Mauiavt Rvm, He flonrlAhed ]n tho tbfrt&enth century.
Sir wniktD Ouseloy bronns iia that his poem coasiats of above tbifty tbensiUMl
eaupIeU, but mannscripta vary aj to tha nuinber of verset,
t S6€ Prafaci ta tha Jehaa Ar%
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_i
254 MR. NA'TOANIBL HOWARD
1521 of the Christian era. We may also mention the spirited
odes of Anrdri, the Kulliats of Cdtebi and Ahli; but to enii-
merate all the poets of Irdn is to connt the stars, for every
accomplished man cultivated the poetic art ; and the empire
of Persia, even to this day, is the geuial land of poetry and
eloquence.
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APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PASSAGES.
No. h
No, 2-
No. 3-
jl^X^U (^j>j*3ul i^^ ^^ jf^ym J :i^ Cjjl-'JJ ^>* lyli
[A]
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a APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PASSAGES.
^j^ aL^ ^C ^Li ^^ «Xftj ^ ^J^ y^ Os^S jSi\ sUm ^^. A;
iXj <X^ Ij^l (2j^' «Xx#J' CksL^ ^ *^.J^^ ^^ Lfr*t. ClJ^"^ «^^^
ji.S cr^ <j^. b €^ ^ ** ^ ^1^^ ^ ^7^ *>/ b Ci3^
•^ ^^ 4^ 0^' CiJ^^^ ^ • • *N? /' "^^^N! ^b ^-^^' (^
^^ v^ jU bci^ ^ (jj^ ^/ v'j4^ ^>^ b *>^j*-
*N*-^^jr: *^ ^- <^ /^ *-^-> '*' ^.j^ ^ ^/ ^ /^ j-i ^ji
•^^^ CD't* J ' >^' 2t^ <5^.^ ^. y ^^*^^f*t^. *^ er'//^ >^
V^ *^^b^^^ (^.jf.j^ *::M*MiJ : ^j.r f^ 3«3o 3' '«>t^ ^y.
This extract is enough to show the beautiful simplicity of the original.
* Some MSS. read ^^j
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APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PASSAGES. Ul
No. 4.
No. 5.
No. 6.
cr*^ *^jl) ^ cjOJ ^^/$^ uMj^ Ci>^ ^/ *^3^ U^.J
No. 7.
No. 8.
No. 9.
No. 10.
Lijkj 3^- -^ fJ^ h^- y^ ^/y^ >r *^^' y^ iskJyr y^
No. 12. No. 11.
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mmmmmmmmmmm
IV
APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PASSAGES*
No. 15.
No. 14.
SSJt Ox
No. 13.
No. 16.
No. 17.
No. 18.
er^^^j^^'-^^j
' ♦?^ A,!jJ
cj^ c/^*^tf^^' r^j
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VIII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS OF
MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH, F. R. S. F. L. S. &c &c ^c AND
MEMBER OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION, IN A LETTER
TO THE PRESIDENT.
Sir,
Thb collection of Drawings in my possession which you
pronounced extraordinary, and which the Society, judging
from specimens sometimes produced in the illustration of
lectures, has done me the honour to notice with some appro-
bation, may, I trust, be deserving of an abstract notice in
explanation of its contents. I am induced to consider such a
step requisite, because many specimens of the different series
which it embraces, have been published at home and abroad,
and even in America, by the Antiquarian Society, by my
learned friend Dr. S. R^ Meyrick, by Mr. Griffith, Dr.
Leach, the late Mr. Howitt, Mr. Colnaghi, myself, and by un-
known persons, sometimes with, and at others without, my
name or knowledge. From the occasional appearance of such
fragments, some have been led to suppose, an assemblage of
ancient costumes, and others, of zoological figures, alone were
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256 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
in contemplation ; while even those who had seen a g^eat part
of the collection, thought it to consist, merely of sketches
and drawings of middling execution, without necessary con«
nection or subordination to a digested plan* It is therefore
with some desire to rectify misconceptions, that I now address
you, trusting the curious will judge them from the same point
of view in which they were made, and from being acquainted in
some measure with the history of this undertaking, the diffi«
culties that were surmounted, the multitude of channels that
were explored, be prepared to take them in the same light that
guided me in their formation.
Encouraged by your approbation, and stimulated by the
expressed desire of many members of the society, and even by
several individuals, both at home and abroad, remarkable for
rank and knowledge, I enter upon the subject, requesting that
what must unavoidably appear personal in its course, may not
be considered as arising from a wish to obtrude private con*
cerns upon the notice of others ; but that a statement of the
question in all its bearings could not be made without sudi
reference; and also that by these explanations, young men
similarly situated, and possessing similar facilities, might be
indnced (by this example of mere industry) to pursue some-
thing of a like plan ; with the certainty, at a future time, of
reaping an equal or a superior harvest.
With reference to the intention of the collection, the spirit
I mean which directed the acquisition of its materials, I must
observe — that although it was by no means intended to un-
dervalue the advantages of skill in designing, and beauty in
the execution, of the drawings; yet the fundamental principle
adhered to, being directed to the acquirement of knowledge,
of all such facts and objects as could be presented to themind^
by a direct exhibition of pictorial forms, that object did not
necessarily embrace a style of execution such qs I had not
skill to produce. But taking them as types, which by meant
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mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmam
HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 257
of lines and colours convey to the eye at one glance a more
definite idea of a given object than language, however precise,
can effect, I felt that with perseverance and industry, a very
considerable mass of information might be collected in one
focus, upon a more comprehensive plan than is to be met with
in any collection of the kind, which has yet come to my know-
ledge. From an adherence to this 'plan resulted the very
extensive amount of the collection ; for^ although the whole
without almost a single exception, is the work of one hand,
the number of objects delineated, amounts to about ten thou-
sand. I must however, confess, that the greater number of
drawings are only so far advanced as to contain the requisite
characteristic minutiee ; few are entirely finished ; and some
still remain in pencil : let me add also my regret that several
of the most finished have disappeared.
Although these explanations seem to account for the num-
ber of materials collected, and for the unfinished state which
attaches to many, they do not point out the causes of facility
in drawing outline with satisfactory precision, nor of applying
a system of colours with propriety and dispatch* It is true
that the steps taken to attain these powers in a passable degree
were not all in consequence of a premeditated plan, but that
mduy fortuitous incidents in life seem to have co-operated to
constitute a kind of destiny to that effect. It may be irrelevant
in this place to refer to private matters of detail, but I trust
that what I am g^ing to state will escape censure, because
there may be interest in some parts and instruction in others;
and it will appear that no work even comparatively trifling,
is to be executed without preparation, trouble, and persever-
ance.
By a kind of instinctive desire to form collections of figures,
before I was fifteen years old I had already contrived to
sketch, during the hours of interval between scholastic studies,
upwards of three hundred animals, taken from the works of
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258 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
Buffon, Pennant, Edwards, and others; but it was not till
after thefirst years of the war, (which occurred soon after,) had
passed over ; during a voyage down the coast of Afi'ica, and
subsequent residence in the West Indies that a second collec-
tion, wholly drawn from nature was made. This, however,
being mostly destroyed by accident, discouragement ensued,
land I resolved for a time to confine my pursuits to memoran-
dum sketches, while a course of drawings of the human figure,
sometimes with, but oftener without, the aid of masters, pre-
pared the way to resume my plan with greater effect. For
this purpose, a very extensive series of engraved statute and
bas-nreliefs taken from the antique were copied ; at first, by
tracing the whole figure, soon after by tracing only the chief
points, and finally by drawing wholly by the eye. Having
run through all that I could find of the ancients, and secured
a competent knowledge of their style, I turned the facility
thereby acquired to the human model, and studied assiduously
in that climate so peculiarly favourable to display the fresh-
ness and elegant contour of youth, and the muscular vigour
of physical man; unfettered by the habitual restraint of close
garments, which makes the model of Northern Europe com-
paratively imsatisfactory, and unlike the sculptures of anti-
quity.
A system of shading and colouring proceeded with the
drawings, but when I had resumed my plan, it was found
necessary to establish a method of colouring such objects as
from circumstances could not be tinted on the spot. The
privations incident to a traveller who has penetrated into the
' wilds of America, had soon induced me to put in practice a
system of indications, which if it did not completely supersede
the actual use of colours at the moment, at least, produced an
approximation which would differ only in the intensity of any
particular hue, and therefore would not be much more remote
from the precise colours of the individual object, tha9 what
will be found to occur between two specimens of the same
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HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 259
•kind, not identically the same. All artists know, that the
. colours of nature are mostly relative, and appear positive only
inasmuch as they stand in opposition to others — ^that is^ they
are positive by contrast. Hence, a proper application of half
tones, distributed according to the laws of light and shade,
will bring a proper outline to resemble its prototype so very
nearly, that with the addition of some slight local colours,
the resemblance will become sufficiently exact to satisfy a
critical eye, even when in juxta-position, with the object from
which it is copied. This effect, in general, is produced on pa^
per by the use of neutral greys ; but if these greys, especially
those intended for more delicate objects and distant shadow-
ings, be composed from the admixture of the three elementary
prismatic colours, the effect is not only more certain, but often
magical. For as the three chief prismatic colours, though
separate, will produce light, or a white tone when set in
motion, so when they are blended with the brush, they appear
as in a state of repose, and produce the most delicate and
most natural effect of shade. The aerial tints resulting from
the combination of the elementary colours of the prism, pass
most readily into transition tones, such as form the basis of the
most brilliant positive hues. By the simple increase of the
quantity of any one of the three, we obtain the most trans-
parent purple greys, blue greys, or yellow greys ; which, in
a state of greater intensity,' laid on with blended edges, offer
faithful imitations of metallic reflected colours, such as occur
in polished steel, or cupreous transitions ; and when applied
in a weaker state, readily admit any local colour that may be
wanted to produce the positive tone required.
Being familiarised, by dint of practice, with the [relative
proportion of each colour required in a mixture to produce a
given tone, it was no difficult matter to reduce it to a system
which might represent their various combinations, with so
much certainty, as to admit only a minimum of difference. —
Any person intending to effect such a purpose, would readily
li 9
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2e0 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
find an equal or a superior metbod — that which first presented
itself, was^ in some measure^ analogous to an Algebraical for-
mula. Thus, in all cases of plain colouring where the Heraldic
mode of indication by means of the particular direction of lines,
was applicable, that was adopted, with or without the corn-
bining + (plus) indicating also a decreasing ratio of the added
colours, in the gradation of their order. In this manner, for
example, — + HI + * would represent two parts indigo,
one lake, with the additionof some gamboge, being the ele-
ments of one of the aerial greys. If the tones required, were
not amenable to this simple formula, others were adopted — as
for instance: Ind. Yen. red 1. or indigo, Venetian red. No. 1.
that is the two colours where blue predominates: with the
fig. 2, the red would increase in strength, with 3 it would be
still stronger, and with the figure 4 become almost pure.
These mixtures of two colours, as also lamp black and Indian
red, blue and burnt terra di sienna, are all vehicles, which
combine with or suffer the super-imposition of a local colour,
and can be regulated with absolute certainty to the tint requi-
red. In this manner, practice rendered the method of noting
easy and sufficiently certain when applied, to make the tone
differ from its type only by a trivial shade. This method was
also used to colour by candle light, and it seldom occurred
that a sketch put in colour by the above process, was after-
wards found to vary from the original more than above stated,
although both were placed together for comparison.
But, although by perseverance and labour, a competent
knowledge of drawing in all its branches had been attained,
and memorandum sketches t)ccasionally added together, were
at length bound up in five folio volumes; nevertheless, pro-
fessional studies ; duties on the Staff* and in the Engineer
* I am aware this formula might haje been expressed with more aeewaey,
but it WAS for my own iise> and right or wrong it stood for t>etter. Here it shews
that s the Heraldic designation of blue, standing first in the order of arrange-
ment, is also the predominant colour by one half; the next ||| red, less ; and
0. gamboge or yellow, least.
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HIS collbcti6n of drawings. 2Sl
department; repeated voyages across the Atlantic; tray els in
both Americas, and several campaigns, absorbed so much time
and diverted so much my attention^ that it was not until a short
period before I was called to an official situation at the Horse
Guards, (about 1810) that my purpose, which until then had
been vag^e, began to assume that consistent form which ad-
mitted of insertmg in the different series of drawings already
begun, every successive addition without deranging the plan.
Matured by reflection, and in possession of much unarranged
matter to act upon, the system adopted comprehended chiefly
the following points: First, to make typical designs in the
^irit before alluded to, from all authentic materials that cir-
cumstances would allow me to collect, in zoology, antiquities,
costume, paleography, heraldry, and topography, upon pa-
per of uniform size, (4to. aths,) classing them in a system-
atic manner; to attend in particular to the colour of objects
according to nature, the original document, or history ; and to
furnish each subject with an explanatory notice, containing
the authority, together with historical, biographical, or scien-.
tific remarks.
For this last purpose,, a kind of common place book, or
rather a number of books, alphabetically marked, were appro-
priated to the accumulation of notes, headed by some leading^
word, and containing chiefly discussions relative to the filiation
of nations, paleography, philology, and antiquities, collected
from a multitude of sources, and forming essays, summary
abstracts^ or simple definitions. Although these amount at
present to above one thousand, I must own scanty use has as
yet been made of th^n in illustration of the drawings; and,,
excepting in the lectures read before the Society, where some
extracts have been occasionally introduced, I fear, that for
want of assistance I shall not be able to complete this part ot
my original intention, or communicate in another way several
facts and observations, litde known or altogether new to the
British publick.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
262 MAJOa HAMILTON SMITH ON
Before I proceed to a more detailed notice of each series, t
must beg leave to dwell a moment longer on some general
considerations, applicable to the mode of adopting the materiakr
to the system I had in view. It is unnecessary to enter into
a discussion concerning the dependence of language upon
images to convey just ideas. The relations between them
have been shewn ; but I am not aware that it has been
pursued with equal attention in the more confined sphere of
the fine arts — to the association between pictorial figures and
our imagination. Such, for example, as occur upon reading
poetry, romance, history, voyages, travels, or such other sub*
. jects, as relate to persons and physical objects; when, if we
pay the least attention to the text, we immediately find our
mental perception engaged in forming it into moving pictures,
where men and thingps are clothed in the colours of nature^ and
pass before us like a scenic exhibition. Upon further examina*
tion we discover that this perception is vivid, and pleasing in
proportion as sensible objects of a kindred class, (and therefore
adapted to individualise our imaginary picture,) have been
previously impressed on the memory : that, on the contrary, if
we are destitute of these elements to clothe the fancy, or if we
possess such as are improperly applied, the imagination cools,
we become indifferent, or feel a painful want ; an indication'
that we do not rightly comprehend the sutgect. Although,
the eye reading alternately books and pictures, may become in
a degree accustomed to erroneous types, constantly afforded
by the arts, particularly about the sera of their renewal, when
Jason might appear in Gothic armour, and St. Paul be converted
in the middle of Turkish cavalry with pistols in their holsters;
still where criticism is sufficiently advanced, we feel consider*
able abatement of the admiration which the skill of the artist
so often calls forth in every other department of his production^
Other thingps may be so fast established, by use, as to escape
censure; such as evangelists with modern folios before them,
or doctors in the Temple with spectacles on their noses; but
with regard to the national histories of modem Europe, where
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ON HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 263
\
we are, or at least where we ouj;rht to be^ more critically correct,
artists^ have not inquired into the projtrieties of costume with
half the judgment evinced by the ancients on the bas-rcliefiiof
the Trajan and Aotonine coIuqibs. It in scarcely half a cen*
twry since B^man armour has been introduced with the least
correctness, and only a quarter of a century that a Greek can
be dii^tjuguisbed from a Roman; but in the costume and ar-
mour of our own nations^ Mr. West could still represent the .
Conqueror and Edward III, habited like Charles L— and on •
the stage, Richard HI. even now flourishes his sword, with a
hat and mantle, which, if ever they belonged to any period
of costume, must be referred to the time of James I. On the
Continent, the matter is worse ; the Germans sheathe in plated
steel, paladins of Charlemagne's court; and in France, the
antiquaries themselves confound the armour of five difterent
centuries,* It must therefore be a service to endeavour to
spread a more correct acquaintance with the subject, nor lA
Ihe idea of its desirableness confined to myself.
**It is not," said Mn West, on looking over my earliest col-
lections of costume ; *' It is not that artists do not feel the
<* impropriety of many things they introduce in their composi-
** iiom, but that they must trust to what they can find as models
*' banded down by their predecessors ; because it would require g
"a different education^ and a whole life of research to collect "
« their materials, whereas they live scarcely long enough to be ||
*< thoroughly instructed in all the other branches of their pro-
**fession. It is therefore much to be wished that some one i
•^ would furnish the art with an ample store of such docmnentsi I
• See Recherchos sur lei Costumaa, &c, pur MaUioit and MnrUn, ¥oI, UU
fin du lUsieclc* Reoaud tie St, Gillea and olhers anned, &c, as if in 1480,
Tliiyse are from a series of EhHs of Toulouse, in a MS. oflhfjfift&e nth century,
al the i^arliest. I tiava copied the ^hole, but iiol as jfeniiine. See kIso the
stelnes of the church of Su Sertiln a^ Touloit^e, said in he of bcBefactoTB aod
extemporary with Earl William and Copnteia ; Ibcy are of ihe sixteenth cerifury^
Thh ifl really wanting crltldsai. _
1
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364 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
^^as the historical painter in particular is constantly wanting;
<^for althou^ the French have done much to improve Mr. ^
<< Gavin Hamilton's plan, regarding the Roman costume, and
^*we beg^n to have a critical knowledge of what ought to be
** considered as exclusively Greek, from the work cf'Mr. Hope ;
*< still every thing is to be done for our national history, and
'^therefore I rejoice to see a b^inning made in this collection,
^< where I approve of your view of restoring monumental effi-
^gies to the attitudes and colours of life; because while they
'< remain as given in the works of antiquaries, mutilated,
<' colourless and generalized, they are useless to us ; it is right
^^also to improve the drawing of subjects taken fromAnglo-
*^ Saxon or other ancient illuminations, because young artists
^< will never willingly consult ill-drawn figures, which, because
^ they offend the eye, they are apt to consider as of no value
" to the science of painting."
These remarks' of the late venerable president of the Royal
Academy, which are given, as nearly as possible, in his own
words, are of themselves sufficient authority for the view
then already taken of the question ; and there remains only one
more objection to be answered, in order to remove the last ar-
gument which has sometimes been used against the application
of a correct costume ; it is averred that the proposed costume
may not be picturesque, that it may be altogether ridiculous,
and therefore apt to take away the intended effect of a serious
composition. To this objection, therefore, it may be answered
that a thorough knowledge of the art and of the materials with
which to clothe a cdtnposition does not imply, that judgment
and taste are to be laid aside ; but that both should be used
so as to modify, conceal, or actually omit what would off^d a
sound critical judgment. Finally, where the true costume of
a given sera is introduced with taste and judgment, it will un-
questionably lend an air of reality and vigour to the composition,
which no fency dresses or misdated materials can ever bestow.
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'> -r- - ■ ■♦»■ * * m **m
HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWING. 285
As I have beep led to make a more particular alliisioii to
\M)6tume» it may be proper to begin witb the different sets of
tbe series connected with this queetion, commencing with those
of the most ancient nations of which piotorial documents re-
main. These are the more cinrionsy because die conjectural
hints of De Sacy and Ackerbladt, led the late Dr. Young
to a discovery whidi Monsieur Champoleon has extended to
satisfactory readings of the long unintelligible hieroglyphical
inscriptions of Egyptian antiquity-*-what therefore was until
lately vague conjecture, is now daily bec<Hning historical;
and the Egyptian collection of costume, now under considera*
tion» will shortly be as completely within the reach of explana-
tion as any other document, where the figures are accompanied^
by inscriptions; at present, with some exceptions, they depend
upon conjecture, All the materials of the set are taken from
the insculptured monuments of Egypt ; and many of these are
still on the walls and ceilings of temples and catacombs, in the
foil splendour of their original colouring. The set consists at
present of fifty drawings, containing above one hundred and
fifty figtires of gods, kings, heroes, priests, warriors, wranen,
artisans, musicians ; of foreigners, such as Syrians, Greeks,
Arabs, Jews, JiegroeB; chariots, boats, temples, porticoes,
fonerals, processions, &c. They were obtained chiefly firom
the original sketches of one of the artists employed by the
institute of Cairo ; others are from the monument and work
of the late Belzoni ; from the paintmgs within the coffins of
mummies, and firom the Papyri found upon them ; firom the
g^reat work of the institute published at Paris; firom Draim
aad other sources.
From this set we learn that the bull Apis or Mnevis had
not invariably the same colours and markings; that the priests
on ceremonial occasiotis wore masks, representing the heads of.
their many typical divinities. We see all their idols carried
in arks, with veils often covering the Theba; we find tbe
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266 If AMR HAMILTON 8MITH ON
brazen chariots, such as Herodotus relates to haye issued fr6in
the hundred gates of Memphis. Here artists jrUl see that
Osymandiasy Memnon, Sesostris and the Pharaoh% appeared
in a very different costume from the Romanised Greek dress,
in which they are usually figured. We can distinguish the
blue-eyed Phoenician, the charetim or bowmra, the prisoners
and the women ; we observe, that the complexion of the men
varied from reddish to dark brown, between the Delta and
the cataracte, but that the women were uniformly of a pale
colour; here are sowers and reapers, hunters, dancers; punish-
ments, wrestlings, rejoicings, &c. Among the most curious,
is an attack upon a fortress, unquestionably the most ancient
battle-picture in ^cistence ;— the Egyptians are storming the
walls by means of a testudo, unnoticed by the ancients; it
seems to be of rhinoceros or camel's hide, supported by men,
upon which the assailants are mounted, while others are scaling
the walls upon ladders. There is also a naval battle between
Egypt and the Syro-Phoenicians, of which however I have
copied only the most prominent ships. A prince of the Mmqp^
phian dynasty, receiving homage, with his enemies painted
bound upon his footstool, and lying on the ground, as noticed
in the Psalms of David. To these, I have still to add Egyptian
horse races from Herculaneum, and domestic scenes from the
Proenestine Mosaics.
In the second set are assembled the costumes of nations not
less ancient than the Egyptian — ^those of Persia, or Iran, to^
gether with some specim^is of Babylon and Ancient India*
Of the latter only two are from bas-reliefi, taken out of the
ruins of the desolate City — they diow fig^es drawn with a
feeling almost Greek, and dresses composed of cloths made by
the union of many plaits, which no doubt were of various
colours,^ and had the effect of stripes. As this mode of
. * The gament of nuuiy coloort is noticedy when Joseph was sold by hU
brethren. The Arabian figures among the Egyptian paintings wear clothes of
many stripes.
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H10 COLLBCTION OP DRA|¥ING8. 267
making cloths remained in practice to a late period among tbe
Celtic nations, it may well have existed in Babylon before the
mechanism of weaving was understood. At least, such appears
to be the character of the draperies as expressed by the artists,
whose style of drawing proves there was more skill than in
Botne of the posterior bas-reliefs on the surface of rocks in
Persia, where, however, the draperies have no such characters.
Of Indian specimens there are likewise but few; they were
mosdy copied by the late Mr. Devis, from the alto relievo colos-
sal idols of Salsette, Elephantina, Elora, and Pohogulpoor. It
may, be worth observing that, with due allowance for carica-
ture, the costumes of idols almost invariably represent the
^cient dresses of the nations to whom they belong, particularly'
when they have a form determined by usage: thus the most '
ancient Hindoo divinities exhibit the national costume, perhaps
anterior to the era of the Gymnosophists, noticed in the expedi-
tion of Alexander the great. The colossal Budho in particular
wears the g^b of his priesthood, and his being always painted
with a red skin, it proves that he was a Northern Caucasian,
and not a Mongole. This also occurs in China, where the same
sect represent him and his subordinate personifications not only
as a white man, but one with a red beard : the dresses of these
gods are of Chinese, and not of Mantchoo fashion.
The costumes of ancient Persia are taken from the bas-^relieis
of Persepolis or Chihel Minar, from Taki Boustan, from the
cavern of Shahpoor, &c. according to the copies of them, fur-
nished by a multitude of travellers, and in particular hy
Morier and Ker Porter ; add from casts now in the British and*
other museums. I have also obtained some sketches of the
Achoemenian princes, at Nakshi Rustam, and of the Sassanian
and Arsa^cidian dynasties, from the same place, and frcnn
Nakshi Rajab. These last, although they are overlooked by
Firdausi, were the chiefs of the mighty Parthian's confederate •
empire, the Malek el Tuaif^ kings of tribes ; history proclaims
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268 MAJOE HAMILTON SMITH ON
their triumphs — and their numerous monuments evince the
advanced state of the fine arts in Persia at that time.
Of the Achcemenian dynasty, we see a king, perhaps Dariu»
Codomannus, but more probably HyBtaspes,(Kyshtasp) buried
in an immense wig* and beard, asserted to have been of borrow-
ed hair: we see this prince on his throne surrounded by his
household, before him the golden horns charged with jewels,,
which when reached, gave the rig^t of sanctuary ; beneath his
feet the stool which was too low for Alexander ; abmne him the
Solar eagle, and the canopy adorned with a row of hones,.
(Phul) one of the types of the sun. In the drawing I have
grouped the figures, and given the whole a perspective en*
sembk; which in the original is partly plan, partly elevation,,
disposed in rows, as is always the case in pictures designed
during the infancy of art: belonging to this dynasty also,
are the procession of the Satrapies, personified by ^^ures
bearing the tribute in kind, for which each was particidarly
distinguished.* Each group is attended by a herald or guard,
some of which appear in the simple garb of Persians, while
<^hers are magnificently dressed, and may be Medes: others,
still more splendidly accoutred, with quivers and bows on the
shoulders, and artificially curled beards and hair, may repre*
sent the immortals. There are also Eunuchs, known by their
muffled mouth, and menials distinguished by the same attri-^
butes of office which mark their present representatives in
lndia« Smerdis Magus, or Lohraspf occurs also, but less
positively ; and Khosru Parvb in a magnificent costume frmu
the original bas-relief at Taki Boustan, so carefully detailed
as to give the minutisB of embroidery. The colossal idol of
Ormusd f (who as well as the original Rustum, was a per*
sonification of the sun,) from Shabpoor, shows the costume of
the heroic ag^ of Persia ; and his shaggy tunic may represent
the impenetrable Burburcan of the Iranian Hercules. A figure
on horsebadL of Rustum, or of Khosroe Parvis, is also seen at
Taki Boustan — the face and body are covered with ring mail ;
* Tho S7Ui of EitUel may l>e oonsvUad for the ezplaosUon of thif moniimeiit.
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HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 209
the hone's head, neck, and breast, with small plates of metal,
adorned with tassels; on the near side of the saddle, hangs
the Camaund or ancient Lazzo ; and on the off side, the Yak
tail to drive off insects — this is altogether a most complete
specimen of the cataphracted horse of Persia. It was from
these kind of armed warriors that the posterior crusaders
derived their word of Saracen (Serro^d^gin) a mailed rider.*
Beside these, there are monumental obelisks, with Pelhevi
inscriptions, tombs, ensigns, &C Of later periods^, there are
costumes from the illuminated Shah Nameh of Gottingen,
Saracens and others, which may belong to the eras of Alpar«
slan or Chenghiz, when the institutions of the KhalifiUe had
totally changed the ancient manners and habits of the country.
With regard to authorities for colouring the subjects of
Indian and Persian costume, unlike the Egyptian, which are,
or were invariably painted, there is more difficulty ; but in
order to save artists the trouble of searching, attention has
been bestowed upon the scattered notices in the ancient classics,
relating to Ais question. Several of the originals, and proba-
bly all, were painted ; some still retain traces of their pristine
colours; from these, with the help of the immutable usages of
the East, retraced in their illuminated books, and even in the
painted toys of Benarez, (which still deserve some notice,) an
attempt has been made to complete that object.
After the Persian may be ranked a small series of Greek
figures, chiefly of those anterior to die era of Pericles; they
consist of that curious discovery at Egina, groups of statues,
once painted in encaustic, and representing the heroes of the
myrmidons, the ^acidee and Trojan warriors in conflict over
the fallen^Patroclus. Several also from fictile vases, represent
warriors and virgins: but it is my intention to extend Ais series
to the Greek types of the fabulous beings which they painted
• Others wlU derive it from the Arabic wrw, a desert.
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270 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
or produced upon the stage— 4he furies, menades/ gorgons^
satyrs, fauns, centaurs, amazons, arimaspians, genii, &c« from
the fictile vases, which occasionally represent scenes of drama-'
tic pieces, of which no other notice can now be found in the
ancients ; there are also from similar sources, mostly brought
from Bengazi, by Mr. Le Marre, sundry costumes and figures
which illustrate Greek Cyrenaica and Roman Cardiage. They
may be compared with those lately published by Capt. Beechy,
and it may also be worth observing that artists, if their com-
position will improve by the practice, may embellish Greek
and Roman architectural decorations with colours, for it is
not in Africa alone, but also in Greece, Ionia, and Italy, that
the practice is proved to have existed, wherever time and cH-
mate have not obliterated the evidence.
To the Greek may be added a few Etruscan and Volscian
costumes of soldiers, shepherds, horse races, &c. taken from
bronzes, painted tiles, and bas-reliefs.
In the fourth set are collected Roman and Byzantine cos-
tumes, in 89 drawings, making 158 figures. I am indebted
to my friend S. R* Meyrick, LL. D. for his manuscript and
collection on this head, which supplied me with the first part,
to which are since added many interesting specimens ; among
which, a figure of an officer of the Ala Noricorum Claudiana,
on horseback, and a sigmfer of the 14th Gremina Martia V ictrix,
the celebrated Western legion of that number; both from
monumental bas-reliefs at Bonn. A Roman lady putting on
the strophium, from the Portici bronze ; with this figure are
placed Egyptian bathing women, and the scene is in a bath,
with all the furniture, taken from difierent antiques. Next is
a curious exhibition of equestrian and tumbling performers,
taken from an ivory diptic, which shews that a Roman booth
was not unlike those of the same nature at an English fair.
There are also horsemen, legionaries, slingers, and other bar-
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His COLIt'BCTION OF DRAWINGS. 271
barian soldiers of the lower empire ; probably some are Goths
of the time of Ricimer, Stilicho or JStius — they are taken from
the reliquiary of Sens, and from Christiaa sarcophagi at Tou-
louse, &c. But the most curious perhaps of all is the fine
costume of a Varang^os^ or one of that guard of Scandinavians
and Saxons which were so conspicuous at Constantinople.
The figure is from the paintings in the cathedral of Ravenna,
and is of the time of Justinian ; his armour is the same as that
remarked on Northmen of a posterior date; — a hialm, or. scull
cap, halsberg, baldur, or ring kragh, covered with golden
studs or bezants, and a Saxon tunic, sufficiently distinguish
this body from other Byzantine warriors. On his shield he
bears the sacred ^ which distinguished the prcetorian bands
from the leg^naries, from the time of Constantine.
It is curious that the Scottish author of the romance of
Alisaunder, should make his hero wander through a terra
incogniia in Asia; where, among other monsters, he meeb
with the Varangi —
** A folk woneth biside thoos,
** That beeth y-depid Farangos,
** That haonteth wildernesse and forestes,
** And nymeth thereinne wilde bestes,
** And fleshe hy eten raw and boot,
^ Wlthonten Kycchen, god it woot.**
•Little suspecting that among these savages the name of Drum-
mond was not unknown, as appears by the Icelandic Viga
Styrs; — sub anno lOIl. In the same drawing, behind the
figure, is a signjferf with the Labarum ; such as was preserved
at Brescia till the late revolution.
The fifth and sixth sets form a very long series, relating
chiefly to Britain. In the first are collected a great number
of Celtic monuments, and antiquities, found scattered over a
considerable portion of the old continent, firom the coast of
Malabar, and th<3 province of Coimbatoor to Scandinavia, and
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372 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH OK
Iceland. Cromldb% crom-craachs, kistyaens, peillvaiui in
Asia Minor, on the coast of Africa, in the islands of the MedU
terranean ; in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands,
Germany, Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland. Costumes
from Celto Roman bas-reliefs; representations of tribal and
family penates ; pillar house gods ; ondvegis sular and $eU
nokkar; next, all the audientic figures relating to the Godii$,
(chiefly the western) race that I have met with on the conti-
nent: and the costumes &c. of the Anglo-Saxons to Edward
the Confessor, with whom the histoi'y of the Gothic race, and
the Saxons as a people, ended. This s^ies, consisting of about
170 drawings, containing an immense variety of objects, was
brought together in aid of written documents, that have been
accumulating for several years, with a view to the illustratioE
of the origin of the nations of Western Europe, and the primi-
tive filiation of the Caucasian tribes. Fragments of these
researches have appeared in several lectures read before die
Society.
It was also in connection with these enquiries that a s^ies
of paleographic alphabets and inscriptions was collected ; to
facilitate the investigations of the ramifications and descent of
the dialects of Europe, and compare the affinity of the Semitic
with Sanskrit, and the Hindu and Hindu-Mongolic tongues.
In the Celtic series, there are a considerable number of ob-
jects never before published, and not a few drawn upon the
spot, either in this country, when in the company of members
of this Society, or discovered during personal researches
abroad. Some of these have been published already by the
Antiquarian Society, and also at New York ; and others may
be expected shortly to appear in illustration of the antiquities
of Dartmoor, in the ^Transactions' of this Society, by one of .
the members. With respect to the Anglo-Saxon costume, it
is copied in general from illuminated manuscripts in (he British
Museum. The sketches consist of princes, nobles, ladies.
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H» COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 273
. soldiers, archers, shipping and buildings. MosI of the Codices
are versions of the scriptures ; and it is a singular illustration
of the affinity between sensible objects and our minds, to find
that all the figures of Israelites, patriarchs, princes, and war-
riors, are designed with the most scrupulous fidelity to the
Saxon costukne. Abraham contends against the five kings
clad in a ringed Saxon tunican. The departure of Israel out
of Egypt shews a Gothic town, with a row of bare-headed
horsemen holding lances, with banners of different colours,
like Polish hulans. Judah gives Tamar his staff* and armlet,
(not a ring) &c. In making this collection, I hftd ample oppor-
tunity of verifying the fidelity, industry, and judgment of the
late Mr. Strutt; whose works would have been my sole guide
for tracing out the original documents, had I not received
yoliintary assistance and advice, from my learned friend, Mr.
Petrie, keeper of the records.
For the Scandinavian costume, and Anglo-Danish figures,
I am indebted to friends at Copenhagen, and to the British
museum. In this also, scriptural subjects are depicted with
Northmen forms. The massacre of the Innocents is perpetrated
by warriors in the rustred tunics, and hose, and nasal helmets,
used by the Danes: there are, in this sub-division, some inter-
esting delineations ; such as Kuut and Aelfgiva, from that king's
own prayer-book. Of Pagan Northmen — there are heroes, with
the sun and star upon their shields : their helmets adorned with
eagle plumes, as noticed in the Temora of Ossian; sword
dancers and horsemen from the golden horns, formerly of the
Copenhagen museum, but now destroyed. In the collection
are figures of both transmitted from that city.
It was from the Celtic and Scandinavian sets, as they stood
at that time, that Dr« Meyrick and myself, published the cos-
tumes of the Aboriginal inhabitants of the British islands ; but
many and important additions have been since made. Of that
publication, in justice to my learned friend, it must be said,
R K
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274 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
that the materials concerning the Britons, are ahnost entirely
from his own stores.
And now I come to the sixth series, according to the ar-
rangement, but the earliest in point of date. Here are collected
by far the greater part of the sovereign, nobles, knights, and
ladies, of Great Britain, whose effigies still remain sufficiently
perfect to serve for types, whether it be in the shape of re-
cumbent monumental figures, brasses, bas-reliefe, stained
glass, or illuminated miniatures: — ^to them are added prelate^,
monks, artisans, hunters, cross«bowmen, archers, bill-men,
shipping, architectural parts, furniture ; — in short, all the
appurtenances of the feudal ages, disposed in chronological
arrangement. This, the oldest collection, was begun about
the year 1809, while on the recruiting service at Coventry,
and carried forward by the advice of Messrs. Hewlett, Nixon,
and in particular of that zealous antiquary T. Sharp, esq.—
From excerpta of the first materials, Mr. Colnaghi, undertook
to publish sixty plates of the ancient costume of England ; a
work which was terminated in November, 1813. Upon the
appearance of the first numbers, the late president of the
Royal Academy, Mr. West, expressed his pleasure and appro-
bation ; the late Mr. Devis then painting his celebrated picture
of the Barons; and the late Mr. John Kemble, immediately
joined in its support. Their opinion no doubt had considerable
influence ; for it is from that period that artists and dramatists
began to distinguish the differences, to be marked in the suc-
cessive ages of the feudal era.
In this collection, as it now stands, exclusive of materials in
hand, there are above three hundred knights* in armour, taken
from their monumental effigies, and restored in those parts
that might have been wanting, from comparisons with a muU
* It is remarkable that of Bntisb military moBomental figures, abote a
third are cross-legged, though several of known cmsaders are not so.
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HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 275
titude of similar and eou temporary objects* Chiefly from
this part of the collectioOf and from the notes belonging to it,
Dn Meyrick drew the iliustralioas^ and part of the descriptions
of his superb work on ancient armour ; and I ha^e understood
that white iu hm possession, Sir Walter Scott did not disdain
to take some memoranda from the figures,
Ajs the Anglo-Saxon series terminates with the Confessor,
and the battle of Hastings, the feudal set opens with the Con-
querorj and extends at least partially to Charles II ; with the
exception of the kings, whose effigies are carried down to
George the Third, These drawings amount at present to 694
specimens, English, Scots and Irish, Some families whose
monuments haFe been best preserved, appear in succeeding
generations — the Beauchamps, the Veres, StaflTurds, de Clares,
Nevilles, Berkeleys, &c. Many also whose names are unknown
but whose era may be fixed with considerable certainty, from
the costume alone, are here produced : for it may be observed,
that the criterion offered solely in the form of the armour would
be decisive, if it w^ere not that the civil contests so frequent in
the history of England, impoverished and often attainted indi-
viduals and families, from which their monuments are sometimes
of a date several generations posterior to their deatb^» Others
having ordered their own effigies to be sculptured, have sur-
vived the completion of the work for such a length of years,
as to appear in the costume of their ancestor : — finally, that
confusion exists in almost all the churches where early monu-
ments now occur, caused by the loss of epitaphs, the occasional
removal of some, the transfer of others, from religious estab-
lishments, secularised at the reformation, and from the want of
eritical knowledge to judge of the age of the objects, in the
resident clergy, and the authors who have written upon
ecclesiastical antiquities, and topographical lustories**
• 1 have no dotjbt th*t several knlglitiy elSgiea in Exetor cilbedriil aro
*acrlb€il 10 ih© wrong persoci.
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276 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
There are many figures of general interest, and others which
would strike but partially. Richard the First, Berengaria, Sir
Stephen le Fleming, a crusader ; Edward the Third, Queen
Philippa, the Black Prince, the Maid of Kent, John of Gaunt,
Sir John Chandos, Sir Walter de Mauny, Sir Thomas Erping-
ham, &c. Some have been copied from their monuments in
France, others from stained glass in the Netherlands; and
there are not a few from the original designs, said to be by
Hollar, which were in the collection of Abbe Mann, in the last
mentioned country.
Such as were copied from glass, or illuminations, required
no investigation to colour them; but although many if not
most, sepulchral effigies, were painted, and upon diligent in-
vestigation, still show traces of the colours ; many, and in
particular, those from brasses, required the exercise of dis«
cretion : fortunately, armours^ with few exceptions, consisted
of steel without gilding; and the surcoats of arms invariably
heraldic, were readily ascertained; so that no serious mistakes
could well occur in what remained, if reference were made
to contemporary illuminations.
To the ancient or feudal costume of the British Islands,
belongs a collection of notes, historical, biographical, and critic
cal, with a view to illustrate this part of the collections more
fully and minutely than others, but in transcription and
arrangement, no great progress is yet made.
After the British follows the Continental series of the Chival-
rous ages ; the German, which may be numbered the seventh,
though not as yet abundant in specimens, is not without some
of considerable interest, because they throw a light upon the
British periods: and the monumental effigies are more numerous
in the tenth and eleventh centuries, when scarcely any can be
noticed in these kingdoms. Moreover as they are very com-
monly placed upright against the walls of churches, they
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HIS COLLECTIOK Ot DRAWlNGfif. 277
are moreperfect, and very often Fetain all their original colour-
ing. Among the most curious are Charlemagne from the
mosaic of St. John Lateran at Rome; the figures of Roland
and Oliver, from the very ancient statues in the portal of the
cathedra] at Verona; Conrad I. Emperor of Germany, fVom
his monument in the fine Byzantine church of Limburgh on
the^Lahn which he built in 912, and where he was buried in
919 or 920; Ceroid I. Marquis of Lusacia, taken from Gros-
ser's mejjc w ur diff keiten ; he died in 956, Then follow some
nnl^nown great vassals of the empire, from their cast silver
and enamelled statues on the shrine of Charlemagne at Aix la'
/ Chapelle, and the founders of the cathedral of Nauemburgh,
from their statues of the same time, which appear to have
been early in the eleventh century. Walter de Glizberg of
1036, from Effurth, (the first with regular heraldic bearings.)
An earl and countess of Amim, the last pagan and pirate
family in Western Germany, who were forced to take sanctuary-
in Minden cathedral in 1157: Otto count Bodenlauben, and
countess, 1831, at Frauenrode: a series of landgraves of Thu-
ringia and Hesse, from Bfarburgh : the emperor Louis IV. of
Bavaria, and the electors living 1310 — 1319, among whom is
the remarkable John, the valiant duke of Luxemburg, and
king of Bohemia, then a young man, but the same who fell'
half a century after at Crecy. True to the spirit of the times,
the three ecclesiastical electors are in full armour, only to be
distinguished from the others by their blazon, and the mitres
which constitute the crests of their helmets. This set is taken
from the originals of stone in alto relievo, now in the museum -
of Mayence, and till lately adorning the commercial hall of the
city, built in 1319. But the materials for augmenting this
particular series are so abundant, that want of time alone has
prevented its being much more extended than about 70 draw-
ings. I cannot however forbear to mention the Knight of the
Valley of Death, by Albert Durer, introduced here on account
of the costume, and because it is believed to be the portrait of
the celebrated Franz von Sickingen, the last chivalrous cha-
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278 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
racter of that class in Germany, and the first who drew the
sword in favour of the Reformation. He sacrificed his life in
that cause; and when the event was reported to Luther, he
exclaimed that ^< the Lord would Hot have the sword to defend
his cause."*
In the eighth series are those of France and the Netherlands,
together with a few Spanish, Italian, and Morisco subjects.
Thejr amount to about 120 figures, several of which are con-
nected with English history. A copy of the homagfe of Uie
duke of Bourbon to king Charles V. of France, exhibits the
grandees clad in mantles of their blazon. The constable Du
Guesclin bears the white wand. Charles VII. and the Maid
of Orleans, from a drawing of the bronze figures, twice de»
stroyed, but originally placed on the bridge at Orleans.
Francis L and Henry III. both on horseback, llrom beautiful
illuminations on vellum; said to beby Frimatiche.
Among the Belgians is a knight of the ninth century, in
tegulated armour, representing St. Gerion, from a bas-relief
at Xanthen; several dukes of Brabant and Cleves, earls of
Flanders and Holland ; a curious brevet d^amour^ where the
knight^s war horse is caparisoned in blue, charged with a roun->
delay, and the musical notes formed of golden fleur de lys ; this
was in the archives of the cathedral of Toumay. Sir Francis
van Halen, knight of the garter, formerly in the church of St.
Rumbalt at Mechlin. Among the Spanish are the Christian
and Moorish knights, and Moorish chiefs and ladies, from the
paintings in the Alhambra of Grenada. In this series no use
has yet been made of << Montfaucdn's Antiquit^s Francaises,''
nor of ** Millin's Continuation," because the materials in my
possession, which escaped the notice of both, and survived the
iconoclasm of revolutionary fanaticism, are not exhausted.
* Some anecdotes of bian, preserred by ftofessor Josti in dU vorMcU, iliew
that he was a real military reformer.
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HIS COU.BCTION OF DRAWINGS. 879
Although tfiis is not the place to disease the history of
armour, before I conclude the notices of the costumes of feudal
1^^ it may not be irrelevant to observe that from a comparison
of nearly one thousand figures of knights and warriors, no
instance of a well authenticated contemporary effigy occurs,
where 'plate armour is pourtrayed before the second quarter
of the fourteenth century, with the exception of greaves, or
shin plates, which are found as early as 1260. Plate armour
followed the introduction of roundels and aillettes, (small
plates) fixed on the elbows and shoulders, and genouilleres
or knee-pieces, which replaced the round padded cushions
of mail of Edward the First, that is about 1307. Before the
year 1325, half brassards, and half pauldrons occur ; they
were semi-cylindrical steel plates buckled on the arms; and
also, cuisses on the outer thighs. The stained glass figures
of benefactors in Tewkesbury Abbey; Sir Robert de Buers,
at Wesley Waterless : and so late as 1347, Sir Hugh Hastings,
and the surrounding knights, on the brass at Elsing, C. Nor-
folk, are examples of this ; but the last already displays the
arm-plates complete and hinged, similar to the armour of the
monumental effigy of Charles duke of Alenqon, who was killed
at Crecy, in the preceding year (1346) ; and which is the
most ancient of the kind among the French. Plate armour
in Germany, is somewhat older; and in Italy, I believe it was
introduced still earlier, for these nations were more advanced
in arts and manufactures than their western contemporaries,
whose energies were solely bent on mutual unprofitable de-
struction.
In the ninth series are assembled, designs of costumes which
demanded particular research and attention; and although it is
far from complete, contains already many interesting specimens.
To those conversant with the works which treat of the military
and religious orders of knighthood, it is a well known fact,
that with few exceptions, and exclusive of badges, crosses, and
collars, the plates are absolutely fanciftd. Many figures of
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3g0 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
knigUts are pourtrayed in armour and costumes which never
existed at all, or represent fashions posterior to the exUnction
of the orders they pretend to illustrate. With a view to]obtain
designs founded upon such authority as could claim an ad-
missible degree of authenticity; recourse wieus had to original
statute books of orders; stained glass and monumental effigies^
apd pictures representing personages in their knightly cos-
tumes, chapteraly conventual or military. Chance also supplied
me with ,a series of miniatures, preserved from an illuminated
codex, treating on the subject, and formerly in the library of
one of the resident tongues * at Valetta. Those which I had the
good fortune .to find still together, were mostly of the early-
religious orders, repeatedly figged according to Iheir classy
duties, ceremonies, and successive changes. The sources of in-
formation must have been authentic, for not one offered the
anomaly of armour not properly belonging to the period
represented. The knights of St. John, of Jerusal^, were
figured in costumes unquestionably correct, as early as the
end of the thirteenth century; the Templars, Teutonic knights;
Lazarionites, Sepulchrians, and knights of St* Thomas of
Canterbury^ unnoticed in English history, (and, as far]^as I
know, quoted only by the writer, cited by Kasper Henneberger,
an eye-witness, who states them to have been 5000 men at the
last siege and det^uction of Ptolomais or Acre, 1291,) likewise
occurred. What appeared remarkable was, that the ^^ Courte
bistoire et figures des ordres &c. I2mo. published at Amster-
dam, 1699," contains figures evidently taken from this source ;
but that from some cause the most ancient and interesting have
been left unnoticed. If a competent inquirer would search
ainong the early pictures of family portraits in the old castles
of Italy, much interesting information on the present subject
would still be found. Confined as my own researches have
been, by means of friends, and by constant attention even on
* It may be superfluous to remind the reader, that the order of St. John of
Jerusalem or of Malta was classed by tongpues or languages, not by nations.
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HIS COLUBCTION OF DRAWINGS. 281
the orders of kDighthood, much matter {las been collected.—
Sketches have been obtained from Spain, Portugal, France,
Italy, and Germany. There exist now, or at least until within
these few years, pictures of crossed knights, and religious
orders in the church of the Manger, at Nazareth. They were
discovered, I am informed^ in the south aisle, on repairing
those of some saints of the Or^k church painted over them;
there are also similar remains in fresco, on the walls of the
castle of Arwad, the ancient Aradus, and'atBama* — ^ther^
rare crusaders, or more properly templars, painted on the wallfi
of the hall of - castle in the Pyrenees, once the refectory
of the resident knight9. At t^e castl^ of Lacerda, in Castile
there was, until the French invc^ipn, a gallery of ancien^
knights of the several orders of Spain. Hollar has preserved
the twenty-six founders of the Grarter, set up by Bruges, g^«
ter king-at-arms, in the reig^ of Henry the Fifth, in stained
glass, at Stamford ; and the creation of the order De la Banda
was represented in a picture, which may still exist in Q;ueen
Johanna^s palace, near Naples. From the above, and from
several monumental effig^es^ the series (as far as it goes) is
composed ; and to complete the history of chivalrous institu-
tions, the ceremonies are added which relate to the vigil of
arms, the creation of a knight, the joust, tournament, and com-
bat on foot-^1 firom original illuminations or satisfactory
authorities. Among others, the supporters of coats of arms
figuring, not on s^s, but in person, ^t a joust and combat
given by the Spaniards, at Brussels, in 1568.
Finally — ^that nothing important might be wanting in the
ensembk of the feudal ages, there is a considerable series of
gpreat seals of sovereigns, g^eat vassals, and knights, of differ-
ent countries and ages; and a collection of armorial bearings,
from the rolls of the camp at Halidon hill, Caerlaverock, the
barons of England, the nobility of Scotland from Sir David
* In the ruins of a convent are still to be seen the arms of sereral German
nobles ; and similar traces in the conTentual church on Mount SlnaL
L X.
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282 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON "^
Lindsay ; the great nobility of Gennany, many of France, the
Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Poland. All these are
in blazoi7| and many with quarterings, supporters and crests.
Where the feudal ages terPiinate, commence the military cos-
tumes, from the time that regular stipendiaries wearing general
badges, and posteriorly uniforms and regimentals were adopted.
They consist of figures of different nations, and come down
chronologically to our own period. Amongpst the most curious
is the earliest hand-gun used by cuirassiers in the innocuous
armies of the Italian condqttieri, abont 1471. English hand-
guns, ond bow-men of nearly the same period follow, both
marked with the red cross upon their breasts and backs,
There are t! e Swiss of the field of Moret, and those who formed
in four ranks at Foriioue, dressed in party colours white and
yellow wambaize, and red and green hose. Venetian turco-
poliers or light-horse, afterwards known as cravats, and since
by the Hungarian ]]name of bursars. Russian horse of 1590,
Croats of 1494, a^id hussars of 1505 — ^In this collection are
found different kinds of cannon, bombards, and machines of
wai> used sines the invention of gunpowder; soldiers, guards,
light hor^o, archers on horseback, men at arms ; banners and
standardr of Henry the Eighth; Welshmen half-clothed, and
t>eariiig javelb^, as they appeared at the siege of Boulogne ;
officers, eiisigns, andfsoldicrs of the regiments of Temple and
Sidney, and cuirassiers of that of Essex, all serving by com-
mand of El-zabeth, in the wars of the Low countries; wild
IrLh, in the aervice of Spain ; and White Moors, and High-
lander' , fighting naked at the battle of Rymenant near Mechlin,
in 1579.« Then follow the horse of Charles the First, and the
Pai'Iiament infantry, when red clothes first came into use;
cavalry and infisintry, under Marlborough ; Highlanders, when
first raised into a royal regiment, the costume of the army
under the duke of Cumberland ; Prussians of the seven years*
war ; till we reach the contests of our own times.
* This wiw probably the last display of the custom of their ancestors the
Macatie, Plots, and Caledonians,
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HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 283
The mililarj costumes relating' to the war^ wliicli aroi^e out
of the Freticb revolution, form the next series; here we fiud
the uniforms of regiments and chiefs, often named in the
ricis^itudes of that .>^nguiiiary period p French, Rit^ian, Au<»*
trian, Pnissian, Bavarian, Swedisih, Danish, Dutchi Spanish,
Portuguese, Wirtemberg, Badea^ Swiss, and Italians, mostly
drawn in the field. The British series was etched by myself,
and consequently were not worked up in finished drawings.
A part was published in 1813 — 1814, and in conjunction with
the foreign corps in the British service, and several statistical
tables, forms the concluding series of military costume. These
last were al! taken from the patterns at the Board of Clothing,
and from orderlies at the Horse Guards.
I have yet another series of costumes to mention, one of very
considerable extent, but of less interest, because it is in a great
measure derived from modern publications. In this collection
are arranged the more recent modern dresses and habits of the
world. Those of Europe contain many from the original
drawings in the collection of the late duke of Cumberland, in
the King's libraryt now transferred to the British museum; the
Turks from originals transmitted from Constantinople; the
Persian, Indian, and Chinese from paintings by native artists;
the Negro and American aboriginal tribes are many of them
sketched from life; and the aneieiit Mexican costumtis are
taken from their own picture writings in the library of Berlin^
&c* . . •
The modern costumes stand in some relation with the topo»
graphical collection I am about to notice; but before entering
upon the scries of views, it will be proper to mention a separate
collection, still unnoticed, and perhaps the most interesting of
the whole. It is that which contains delineations of the dif-
fercnt kinds of ships and ressels used by man from the earliest
period, and brought together for the purpose chiefly of illus-
trating three papers on ship building, and the ancient arts of
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284 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
nayigatioDi read snccessiyely before the Society. Commeiidii^
with the single log of the Coranas, the double and triple log
catamarans of Australia, ancient Peru, and the present Madras,
it presents to the eye successire improyements on the (Bark)
bundle of rushes, the raft, balsa, canoe, the primitive riy^«
craft of the Tigris, Indus, and of the Nile; then sea yessels of
Egypt and Phoenicia, Greek and Roman triremes, lintres,
holcos, the galleys of the middle ages, galeasses, g^eons,
hurcas, palandries, balingers, caraccas, carayellias, ships of
forecastle ; and finally men of frar of different dates, classes,
and nations ; forming 188 figures in 102 drawings.
The topographical collection, which, according to the
arrangement pursued follows the shipping, constitutes the
second grand division of die work. It consists of views in
different parts of the world ; of which about GOO were drawn
upon the spot, during repeated voyages and travels through
Europe and America: to these were added a considerable
number copied from the original sketches made by ftiends, or
collected by them, and in general by military associales in
both hemispheres. Among others, Col. Trench, Major Pierre-
pont, Lieut.-Cols. Bainbrigge and Freeth, Capt. Appelius,the
Rev. W. Hennah, &c. — to which must be added, several most
interesting scenes from the beauttfiil sketch books of Mrs.
Buckland. From Capt. Delafons and other officers of the
Soyal Navy, Chinese scenes and views in the Indian Ocean,
and on the coast of the Mediterranean have been obtained, as also
several Polar scenes. In order to render this collection still
more complete, copies were taken from the views published in
a great number of modem voyages and travels. Europe
forms about four-«evenths of the whole, exhibiting scenes in
Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel islands, France, the Nether*
lands, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russii^ Greece,
Italy, Sicily, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal. Then follow Bar-
bary, Western and Central Africa, the Cape, the East coast,
Abyssinia, and Egypt. In Asia, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine^
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ON HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 965
Arabia, Persia, India, China, Australia, and Polynesia. In
America, the Polar regions, Canadas, United States, California,
Mexico, the West Indies, Terra Firma, Guiana, Brazil, and
Peru ; the whole amounting to about one thousand nine hun-
dred drawings.
I come now to the third and last great diTisdon of what has
been termed my interminable collection ; that from which many
specimens hare been published in Europe and even in America,
and die one for which I hare ever had the strongest predilec-
tion. Here are collected the result of observations and sketches
of many years, carried on through vicissitudes of climate and
circumstances, in the camp, at sea, in gfarrison, in forests, and
in museums of both hemispheres* Thirty-four great establish-
ments for the study of natural history have been consulted ;
and among these, the Leverian and British museums, Bullock^
the Missionaries, the India Company's, the Jardin du Roi, at
Paris, the Museums of Munich, Dresden, and Berlin ; those of
Bonn, and of my learned friend Mr. Temminick ; also of
Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, have afforded the
most plentiful supply of materials. In this last, minor private
collections are not included; though in justice to the liberality
of Mr. Leadbeater, and Mr. Drew of Devonport, I must not
omit the many valuable and sometimes unique objects I have
been enabled to copy from their stores, as also from the most
varied menagerie in Europe ; I mean that of Mr. Cross, late
of Exeter Change, from whence I have derived many sketches,
taken from living specimens. After these sources, I must
mention extracts of the collections of original drawings at
Paris, Berlin, the British museum; those of Baron Cuvier,
and of his brother the Chevalier F. Cuvier. The grand col-
lection of the late Sir Joseph Banks, Gen. Hardwicke, Mr. Le
Sueur, John Wilson, esq. Miss Gosseling, Dr. Leach, and John
Gray, esq.
In the Sfomimdia, the physical history of man is illustrated
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286 MAJOR HAMILTON SMITH ON
by a great variety of designs of humaii crania; portraits of
many individuals, and whole lengths of the races, some of
which are taken from living specimens. The Canuv(H*a are
very abundant; particularly the families of viverrine, ursine,
canine and feline aninuds ; but the ruminantia we particularly
numerous, and form by far the largest original collection in
existence. Since the paper on this order was published, in
Mr. Griffith's translation of Cuvier*s Regne animal^ many im*
portant additions have been made to a collection, chiefly
through the liberality of General Hardwicke; and it is a
pleasing duty to add, that more are promised by the active
exertions of the Asiatic society, and from Canton and Brazil-*
these series contain above one thousand figures.
Of ornithological specimens, the museum of the Jardin du
Roi at Paris, furnished alone near six hundred. Bullock's, the
Philadelphia and New York museums have likewise Aimished
a great many. In this collection, are the greatest number of
objects from private cabinets, and from original drawings,
executed in India. It is particularly rich in Palmipedes,
Lamellirostres, Grail inaceee, and Grallee. Some passerine ft*
milies are likewise numerous, and contain several not as yet
engraved, notwithstanding that so many works on ornithology
daily issue from the press — ^Mr. Howitt and Mr, Griffith have
published several.
The birds figured amount to about two thousand three hun*
dred, all accompanied by an appropriate backscape, to illustrate
the habitat of the species. I ought to have stated in the Mam-
malia that similar backscapes have been sketched to them,
often taken on the spot where the specimen was found or where
it was known to reside.
The icthiological series forms the third collection of this
division, and consists of fish drawn from living or rec^it
specimens chiefly caught in the Channel» at sea, off Madeira^on
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HIS COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. 887
the west coast of Africa, on the east coast of South America,
the West Indies, North America seas, lakes, and riv^ers ; to
these are added copies of nearly the whole collection in the
Banksian library, which was obtained during Cook's voyages,
a considerable number of the most remarkable in the collection
of the Prince of Nassau at Berlin, and the Plumieriau at Paris*
Moreover, dramtig^ fiom spccinieLi?i io varioa^ museums atid
private collections. It consists at present of nearly one thou*
sand figures, among which some that mny have escaped the
extensive researcbeji of Baron Cuvier, whose elaborate work
on this branch of Zoology in now iti the course of publication.
In the closing series of the whole, are several drawings which
do not belong to any of the foregoing. Among theni an inter-
esting subject of a great Boa Cencbris, (Aboma) a scries of
Crocodiles, Sepiadfe^ Mollnsca, and JLepidoptera ; the tir^jt of
these were intended to exemplify new species in each of the
stib-genera, and the second shows several colossal specie.^ of
Sepia and Loligo^ which do not appear to have been circum^
stantially described.
Id this abstract I may have been too diffuse on some subjects,
and not sulHciently so on others; judging that what was
deemed to be least known would tolerate a more detailed ex-
planation — I did not call your attention mneli to the long series
of views, nor to Zoological subjects, the nature of which niu^t
be similar in a great measure to all other collections of the
like character* But the costumes of nations having some
claim to originality, and certainly a much gi eater to industry
and research, could not, it appeared, Ijc submitted in their
true light without explaining the view taken of tbem, and
the circumstances and principles which attended the execu-
tion.
Notwithstandbgmany, perhaps unavoidable, overflights and
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388 MAJOR HAMllrrON SMITH ON
defects, in the manner as well as the matter of this still inoom^
plete accumulation of documents— those who are desirous of
forming a more correct notion of much of the habits and
customs of our ancestors, and of other nations in different
ages — ^those who wish to view something of the carriage and
portraiture of many among the celebrated personages of our
national history, will find something to give this seductive
desire of our fancies, '* a local habitation and a name '' — hence
artists who seek for their historical conceptions-^thjat impress
of character and truth which is the surest vehicle of the great
and beautiful— will here find abundance of materials, with
authorities to establish their degree of authenticity.
Lockyer-streei, Pljfmoutky
9lh Nov. 1890.
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IX,
ON THE ORKtTHOLOGY OP THE StOUTH OF DEVO^ft
By EDWARD MOORE, M. D. F. L S- AND MEMBER OF THE
PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION; IN A LETTER TO THE PR ESlDErtfT.
The Tran^ctions of this Institutiaii will doubtless be
expected to contEiiti some observations oo subjects of science,
which admit of illustration in our own immediate neighbour-
hood ; and J as in u work of tbis nature, we should not be
negligent of any means which may afford information to the
inquirer^ I have been induced to offer a list or catalogue of
the different species of birds, which are to be met with in the
south of Devonshire* I am not aware that any thing of the
kind has hitherto been published — the various writers on the
history of the county, (except perhaps Polwhele,) have not
made Ornithology an object of much regard — and it is chiefly
from one or two scientific men who have particularly devoted
themselves to it» that we are to derive most of our inforni^vdon
on the subject: I know of no one, who m pursuit of Tiinish
Ornithology, has conferred greater benefits on th«j Nv<ural
M M
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290 ^^ MOORE ON THE ORNmiOLOGT
History of our own county, than tbe late CoL Montagu, of
Kingsbridge, author of the ** Ornithological Dictionary/' —
Another work, '^Ornithologia Danmoniensis,'' was commenced
in 1809, by Dr. A. 6. Tucker, of Ashburton, but not continued.
A catalogue of the birds of Dartmoor was furnished by this
gentleman towards the illustration of Carrington's poem,pub»
lished in 1826.
A taste for Ornithology, however, has not been wanting in
many parts of the county, and many gentlemen have made
considerable collections, but their observations have seldom
been made known, and valuable specimens have often been
lost for want of attention ; many of these, however, still exist ;
the most perfect museums are those of Mr« Comyns, of Mount
Pleasant, near Dawlish ; of Rev. Mr. Yaughaa, of Aveton
Giffard; and of Dr. Magrath, of Plymouth; other gentlemen
have recently turned their attention to the subject, whose
names I shall have to refer to, as I proceed.
The whole of the county of Devon, and its southern division
in particular, affords peculiar facilities for the pursuit of this
investigation ; in no district perhaps, of equal space, is there
such a variety of country calculated to be selected, as places
of resort, by the feathered tribes; whatever is to be expected
from mountain or valley, river or sea, is here to be met with.
Nearly in the centre of the county are the wild and barren
heights of Dartmoor, and throughout the whole of the district
termed the South Hams, we may observe a continued succession
of hill and vale; the latter of which is particularly abundant
in wood, and the country is intersected by numerous rivens,
most of which take their rise from the higher regions of the
moor. Twelve of the principal — the Axe, the Sid, the Otter,
the Dawl, the Teign, the Dart, the Avon, the Erme, the Yealm,
the Plym, and the Tamar, besides the inlet of Salcombe, dis*
charge their waters into the British Channel, while the whole
line of coast, extending upwards of sixty miles, is diversified
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OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 291
Trith bays, marshes, sands, and insulated rocks, calculated to
afford protection to the different tribes of sea fowl.
Independently of the species which may be considered indi-
genous to the country, there are many which visit us in their
peregrinations from one climate to another; and any unusual
variation in the winds, or their long continuance in one di-
rection, will give us an opportunity of occasionally discovering
some rare kinds of birds. Our extensive line of coast is
favourable in this view, and we accordingly find that many
of the rarest species have been found in Devonshire after a
storm. In October, 1829, after a long and continued south-
westerly wind two or three black-toed Gulls, Phalaropes, and
young Terns, were procured ; the Stormy Petrel, Little Auk,
&c. have been some timesobtained far inland, doubtless owing
to similar causes, and as they are generally found in a weak
or starving condition on those occasions, we may infer that the
turbulent state of the sea, when of several days' duration,
renders them incapable of procuring food,^ and thus drives
them to the shore.
It is a subject of remark that many birds^ which formerly
existed in great numbers here^ are now seldom to be met with^
or have entirely disappeared ; the Egret and Crane are become
almost unknown^ only one specimen of the latter has been
obtained for many years; the Kite forty years ago was very
common^ but now I cannot find a specimen in any collection
in this district, and Montagu remarks that he only saw one
during twelve years' residence in the south of Devon. Our
rivers formerly abounded in Wild Duck and Teal ; but these
are considerably diminished in number; — the causes may
doubtless be ascribed to the increased population, drainage of
marshes, or the systematic pursuit of wUd fowl for the table, and
probably most of all to the usual mildness of our winters ; since
in the present year (1830,) the severe weather of the month of
January has furnished U3 with great abundance of Wild Swans,
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2ff2 D^ MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Geese, and many rare species of the Duck tribe. In the ar-^
rangement cf the species in the following catalogue I shall
follow the system of CuTier, (<<Regne Animal/' 2nd edition,
1829y) and in describing the synonyma of the species, I shall
chiefly adopt those of Temminck, (^ Manuel d'Omithologie,^
9nd edition.) When first attention was paid to Ornithology,
every difference of plumage was thought sufficient to constitute
a difference of species, until it was discovered that the same
bird frequently assumed a new livery at the moulting season
in autumn ; and even this information was not capable of
exposing the secrets of nature, until the universal thirst for
investigation over the greater part of the globe, led to a desire
to examine the species at the situations of their habitual haunts,
which has furnished us with the knowledge that not only do
the g^reater number of birds undergo a change of plumage in
autumn, but also in the spring, and that frequently the differ-
ence is so g^jeat, that it effects a complete metamorphosis of
the individual, rendering it extremely difficult to detect; this
is exemplified in the Tringa pugpiax, or Fighting Ruff, the
male of which is fumished with a large ruff about the neck,
during the three months of the breeding season only, and
afterwards losing it, has been repeatedly mistaken for three
or four other species. In the same way the Knot has been
multiplied into six species ; and the greater number of the
Sand-piper tribe have been equally mistaken. Moreover,
young birds have a plumagfe often differing from their parents,
more especially from the male; and in many cases do not
acquire their adult appearance for three or four years, as is
observed, particularly in the Gulls. From these causes the
labours of later naturalists have been directed, not only to
obtain an acquaintance with new species, but also to rectify
the errcNTs which a want of this information had occasioned in
the Linnean system — errors which the edition published by
Gmelin tended to augment. <<Le seul catalogue general
des animaux, (says Cuvier, p. 6.) que Ton poss^ddt alors,
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OP THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 293
et que Pod ait encore anjourd'hui, le syst^me de Linnaeus,
venait d^^tre disfigar^ par un editeur malheureuxyqui ne s'etait
pas m^me donn^ le soin d'approfondir les principes de cet
ingenieux Methodiste, et qui, partout ou il avait rencontre
quelque desordre, avait semble faire des efforts ponr le rendre
plus inextricable." The identification of species has been
very successfully pursued, especially by Temminck and Mon-
tagu ; so that many which were ^uncertain are now properly
arranged beyond the possibility of doubt. It is not however
my intention to give an enlarged view of the subject of Orni-
thology, as that would be incompatible with the object of this
work, and is indeed fully detailed in the different standard
publications. And while I forbear to enter into a detailed
account ofthe habits or even description (except in particular
instances,) of the birds I have to mention, I shall consider it
sufficient for me to speak of the species itself, and g^ve the
authority by which it is to be considered a production of this
neighbourhood, which will be done by a reference to approved
works, or to individu&l specimens at present existing in the
collections of gentlemen, whose names I shall assume the liberty
of stating; while those which I possess myself, will be dis-
tinguished by my initials being attached to them.
My opportunities have not enabled me to extend my inquiries
much into the north of Devon, but I am not aware that any
species have been found there, beyond what belong to the
south, except the Nucifiraga Caryocatactes ( Corvus Caryoca-
tactes, of Gmelin ) Nutcracker Crow, of which one specimen
is mentioned by Montagu as having been obtained in that
part of the county : the Alca impennis, or Great Auk, a speci-
men of which, (Mr. Gosling informs me,) was picked up dead
near Lundy Island; and the Jktdea, Minuta, Little Bittern,
obtained near Crediton, in May, 1806. (Montagu's Ornitholog-
ical Dictionary.)
Digitized by VjOOQIC
294 OR- MOOEB ON THE 0RNITH0L06T
Class.— AVES.
Order 1.— BIRDS OF PREY.
Fanu 1,— DiURNAK*
Gen*— FALCONS.
Sect. IGNOBLE BIRDS OF PREY.
Sub-genus — (True Falcons.)
Species 1. — Common Falcon, C Falco commanis. (Gmelm.^
rPeregrine, or < ■ ■ peregrrinos*
< Barbary Falcon f ■ barbanis.
(^Yearling Falcon
The Peregrine and Barbary Falcons are the common Falcons
in different states of moult, ( Cuvier Regne Ammal^ ed. 1829^
p« 320.) Dr. Shaw and Montagu have considered the Lanner
a variety of this bird; but Cuvier observes that it is distinct,
and that it approaches the character of his genus, Hiero-falco
(Jet'faJjcon.) TeamxnQk also considers the true Lanner of
Linneus to be a distinct species, (Manuel d^ Ornithologies ed. 2,
p. 23.^ — ^the Yearling Falcon is the young. It breeds in our
woods, and specimens are not unfrequently met with. Mr.
Rowe, of Plymouth, has two; and Mr. Drew, of Devonport,
two in his collection.
Sp. 2. — ^HoBBT Falcon* — ^Falco subbuteo. (Im.)
Breeds in the woods in this neighbourhood : arrives in spring,
and leaves us about October. Dr. Isbell , of Stonehouse, has two
specimens ; and Mr. Drew one.
Sp. 3.— The Merlin, ( Falco eesalon, (lAn.)
or Stone Falcon I '- — Utho ftdoo. (lin,)
Visits us in winter only : a specimen in Drew's collection*
The Stone Falcon otLaikam is the old male. {Temmnck.)
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OF THB-80UTO OF DBVON. 295'
Sp. 4.— The KESTREL.-^Falco tinnunculus.
Very common ; builds in the cliffs on the sea-coast, par-
ticularly at Wembury, near Plymouth ; — specimens in my
collection. E. M.
Sect. u.^IGNOBLE BIRDS OF PREY.
Gen.— EAGLES.
Subg.— (True Eagles.)
Sp. 5. — Common Eagle, C Aquila heliaca. (Samgny.)
Rini^il Basrle, or < Falco fulvus. (GmJ
Golden Eagle, ^ — chrysaelos. (Qm.),
Cuvier has continued the F. fulTUs and F. chrysaetos as
distinct species, yet Temminck in noticing the circumstance,
declares them to be the same at different ages. The F.
chrysaetos. Golden or Royal Eagle, is the old bird. — The
Aquila fulva of Meyer ; Ring-tail of Latham^ (sp. 6,) or the F.
fluYUs, melaneetos and niger of Omehn^ and Common Eagle
of CStvier is a young bird of the first year. These birds have
been frequently met with in England, but rarely in the south ;
yet I am informed, that some years since, a pair of them built
on Dewerstone rock, in Bickleigh Tale, near Plymouth.
Subg.— -(Fishing Eagles.)
Sp. 6. — Sea-Eagle, fHalieetus leucocephalus, (Shawns Z.)
Osprey-Eagle, or '\
Cinereous Eagle, l^Falco otdfrtgus ; alblciUa and albicaada. (Qm)
Rare ; one of these birds was caught at the Eddystone a few
years ago, and preserTed alive for some time, by the late Addis
Archer, esq. of Leigham; an accurate drawing of which I
have seen in possession of Mr. Gosling.
Siibg.— (Baldbnzzards.)
BUZZARD, ^ Pandion h
)y, I Falc6 halistu
Not uncommon; a fine specimen was shot on the Erme
Sp. 7. — The Baldbuzzard, ^ Pandion halieeetus. (Shaw.)
or Oiprey, \ Falc6 halistus. (Lin.)
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'296 I>ft' MOORE ON TH£ ORNITHOrx>GY
riTer, by R. Jolian^ esq, of Estover, and is now in th£it gentle*
man's collection. Mr. Comyns has one, shot on the Exe.
Montagu says it is more common in Devonshire than in any
part of the kingdom.
Subg. — (Goshawks.)
Sp. 8. — Common Goshawk, ^ Astur palumbarius. (Shaw.)
\ Faleo palombarios. (IdnJ
Very rare : but has been found on Dartmoor, according to
Dr. Tucker. See CarringtotCs Dartmoor.
Sp. 9. — Sparrow Hawk ^ Nisus. (Cue.)
\ Falco nisus. (JUn,)
Common all the year— specimens in my own colIection—E. M.
Subg.— (Kites.)
Sp. 10. — Common Kite, % Milvus ictinus. (Shaw.)
or Glead, ( Falco milvus. CLin,J
This bird was extremely frequent here about forty or fifty
years ago, as I am informed by some diligent Naturalists : but
it is now become extremely rare. Montagu says, that in
twelve years' residence in DeTonshire, he only obserTed one
of the species. (Om. Diet. Sup.) I have not found a specimen
in any collection, but it has been seen on Dartmoor. Carring'-
ton^s Dartmoor.
Subg. — (Honey-buzzard.)
Sp. 11. — ^The HoNET-BuzzARD ^ Pemis apivoms. (Shaw.)
^ Falco aplToms. (Lin.J
Very rare ; one was seen by the Rev. Mr. Holdsworth, on
Slapton Ley, pursuing Dragon flies ; Montagu. It has been
noticed also on Dartmoor. Carrington.
Subg. — (Buzzards.)
Sp. 12.-— Common BuzzARD,/Buteo vulgaris. (Shaw.)
LFalco buteo. {Lim.J
Very common here; erroneously termed Kites by the com-
mon people. E. M.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DfiVOK. 297
Siibg.^*(Moor.Biizzards.)
Sp, 13, — ^Hen-HarrieRi /Circus pygargus. (Shaw.)
Ring-Tail (female) LFalco-pygargus, and Cyaneus. (Lin.J
The Falco cyaneus, or Hen-harrier, was long suspected to
be the male of the Ring-tail ; and this was proved to be the
case by Montagu. (Vide Linnean Transactions, vol. 9. and
Orn. Diet. Sup») I possess a pair of these birds, shot at the
same time with a double barrel, by R, Julian, esq. and the
female dropped an .egg as she fell. The Falco-griseus, or
Grey Falcon of Linneus is, according to Temminckf a young
male passing to the adult state. E. M»
Sp. 14.— AsH-coLOXJRED Falcon fCircus cineraceus t
LFalco cineraceos. (Montagu.)
Discovered by Montagu; i^ot in 1803, near Kingsbridge;
again in 1808, by Mr. Templer's game-keeper at Stover. A
nest was obtained from a furze-brake by Dr. Tucker, of Ash-
burton ; the female is of a brown colour, but the under parts
more ferruginous, a^d the colours brighter than in the Ring-
tail or female Hen-harrier— probably leares \\a in winter.*
Sp. 15.*i-HARPY ; Moor-Buzzard,/Circus eBruginosus. Shaw.
or Marsh-Hawk. l.Falco rufus. (Lin,)
The Falco rufus of Latham^ is, according to Temmmck^ the
young bird of the first year; of which a specimen shot at
Wembury, is in possession of Mr. J. Whipple, surgeon of this
town. The Falco eeruginosus, or Moor Buzzard of authors, is
the same bird after its second moult. Temmmck Manuel^ p.
71. It has been obtained at Shaugh, and Whittleborough
down, near Plymouth; and I am informed by the warreners
on Dartmoor, that it is not uncommon, and conunits great
depredations among their rabbits.
* Vide Ornitholoff. Diet. Sap. ; and Lin. Trans.
N K
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298 ^^ MOORE ON THE ORN!THOU>OY
Fam. 2. — ^Nocturnal Birds.
Gen.— STRIX.~(JUii.)
Subg.— (Ear-Owls.)
Sp. 16.«-LoNo-EARED OwL. f Otus Europoeus. (Shaw.)
LStrizotos. CUn.)
This bird has been obtained at Leigham, near Plymouth :
builds in trees surrounded with i^y, and rests much on the
^ound— a specimen in Drew's collection.
Sp. 17.— Short-eared Owl, fOtus brachyotos. Shaw.
\Striz brachyotuf • Qmm,
Termed also the Woodcock-owl, from its being supposed to
arrive with the Woodcock. I possess a specimen, which was
diot March 13th,. 1829: one in Mr. Rowe's collection. £. M.
Subg.— (True Owls.)
Sp. 18. — ^White Owl.— Strix flammea. Xm.
Very common. E. M.
8^1^.— (Howkts.)
Sp. 19.— Brown or Tawny Owl, rSymium stridnlum. Sh.
\StrizAlaoo,aiidStrldiiU. lAn,
Very common ; a male and female were caught in a dove-
cot, and presented to me by the Rev. Walter Radcliffe, of
Warleigh ; it is the only species which hoots, and chiefly at
night. E. M.
Subg.— (Horn Owk.)
Sp. 20.— Great-eared Owl /Bubo microcephalus. Shaw.
or Eagle Owl. \strlx bubo.
A very rare species with us; I have seen one specimen near
Honiton in 1820.
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OP THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 299
Subg.— (Night Owls.)
Sp* 21,— Little Owl, rNactiia pyginaea, (Shaw,)
Very rarei one specimen, procured here, was f^exit to Mr,
Drew to be prepared : another wm shot by Mr, ComynF, a
few years aiiice, near Dawlbh,
Order a^PASSERINE BIRDS.
Fam, 1, — Dentirostres.
Gen.-^HRIKES.
Subg,— (True Shrikes,)
Spi SS< — Common orGnEATSitRiKEf fLanius cxcubiton £{n.
or Bulchcr Bird, \
A very rare bird in England. Montagu saw two which
were shot in Wiltshire, «*One of them was seen in February^
1830, about the plantatioug at Ham, near Plymouth, the resi-
dence of Mrsi. Collins/* (See also Carrinffion^s Dartmoor,}
Sp, 23, — Red-backed S[fRiKE,/Lanius collurio. Gmn,
or Butdier Bird I
This bird is very frequent here in summer, arriving in May,
and departing in September, E. M.
Gen,— THE FLY-CATCHERS.
Subg,— {True Fly-catchers.)
Sp.24» — Spotted Fly-catcher. — Muscicapa grisola. Gmn,
Common; arrives iu spring, and departs in Septamber. E.M,
Gen— THE COTINGAS-
Subg,— (The Chatterers.)
Sp.25,— BoHEMiAff CHArTEftER^t BombycillaBohemica, S/i.
or Waswip^, i Antpelij garfulos. {Lin.)
Is occasionally obtained m this ndghbourh£M>d, in its pajs-
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300 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
sage from the north, where it is said to build near the Arctic
Circle. Temminck says, it is only accidentally found in the
temperate parts of Europe, from Nov. to Jan. (Manuel.) A
specimen, shot here, Jan. 1829, is in Mr. Drew's collection*
Mr. Rowe, of Plymouth, and Mr. C. Tripe, of Devonport, also
possess specimens. . Another was shot in Boring^on Park, in
this neighbourhood. (T. E. Crosling, esq.)
Gen.— THRUSHES.
Subg.— (True Thrushes.)
Sp. 26.— Common Black Bird. — Turdus morula. (Lin.)
Very conmion ; I possess a variety of the male — ^the bill and
feet yellow, and the entire plumage of a dull cream colour-
shot at Warleigh, and presented by the Rev. W. Radcliffe.
A similar one is in the collection of I. Comyns, esq. Mount
Pleasant, near Dawlish. E. M.
Sp. 27. — ^RiNG Ouzel, J Turdus torquatus.
or Michaelmas Bird. (
This bird arrives here in April, and d^arts in October.
Mr. Whiie^ (History of Selbome) remarks that these birds
are seen in flocks on the coast of Sussex, in April, and October^
where they remain about three weeks only — ^they build on the
borders of Dartmoor, where they have been seen to enter holes
in the rocks, by R. Julian, esq. who possesses a specimen, shot
Sept. 1829. I am informed by George Leach, esq. that he
has shot great numbers of them on the moor, during the
summer.
Sp. 28. — Missel Thrush, S Turdus visjcivorus. Lin.
or Holmscreech, ^
Conmion here; frequenting woody districts; in winter they
are seen in small flocks of five or six — probably the entire
brood. E. M.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 301
Sp. 29. FiBLDFARB. — Turdus pilaris. (Lin.)
Arrives in large flocks about October, and departs in Feb-
ruary or March. E. M.
Sp* 30, — ^TitRusii, S Turdus mu&icu»,
or Maris, t
Common all the year — a white variety in Mr. Comyn's col-
lection ; and another^ with a white spot occupying the hack
of the neck and fihoulder^^ in Br. Magrath's possession. E« AL
Sp . 3 1 . — R E DW mo » — T u rd us il iacus.
Common in winter; arriving and departing with the Fiekl-
Tares, E. M,
Sub^,— (The Water Ouzels.)
Sp. 32, — Water Ouzel, rCinclus aquaticns. (Tem,)
< Tardus cmc1u9. (Latham^)
I Sturaua cinclus, (Lin~)
Breeds in DeTonshire, and continues all the year; Montagu
says, it use^ its wings tti swimming under water; but that it
cannot swim on the surface, and doubts if it ever walks at the
bottom. I have frequently seen il on the higher branches of
the Plym, about Bickleigh vale. E, M,
Gen,— THE CRACKLES, ^
Sp, 33.— RosE-ooiot^RED Ouzel, rCracuIa Rosea ? (CVnj.)
<jrTbnj*h, S Turdus Rosens, (Lin.)
^Pastor Rosects, (Tern.)
Is an extremely rare bird i inhabiting the warmer parts of
Asia and Africa, and passing regularly through Italy mid
Spain, but very rare in other places, — (Tmmnmck ManmL)
One was killed in Oxfordshire, in 1794; and I am informed
by the Rev, Kerr Vaughau, that a pair were shot in the garden
of the Rev, E, Edmonds, near Aveton Giflord, which he sent
to the British Museum,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
202 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOIX>GT
Gen.— THE ORIOLBS.
Sp. 34.— -Golden OAiOLE.-*OrioIus galbula. (Lm)
This rare bird has been occasionally met with here in the
spring; it is rather common in Holland and France, says
Temminckj where it congregates in winter; specimens hare
occasionally been sent to Mr. Drew for preservation ; one was
shot by R. Julian, esq« in this neighbourhood. They have
been also seen at Leigham and Mount Edgcumbe.
Gen.— THE SOFT-BILLS.
Subg.— (The Stone-Chats.)
Sp. 35.«— Stone-Chat, ( Saxicola rubicola. (Bechsiein.)
or Moor-Titliiig, ( Motadlla rubicola. (Ltft.)
Remains with us the whole year ; numerous along the sea
coast. E. M.
Sp. 36.-^Whin-Chat, ^ Saxicola rubetra. (BeckHein.)
or Furze-Chat, C Motadlla rubetra. ildn.)
Is not SO numerous as the former, and disappears in winter*
A pair in Mr. Drew's collection.
Sp. 87. — Whbatbar, rSaxicola eenanthe. (Beckstein.)
or White-rump, -{ Motadlla enaothe. f linj
or Eng^lish Ortola, L
Common in sununer ; migrates in winter. Montagu observes
that it is by no means common in Devon or Cornwall in the
breeding season : in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, however,
the are exceedingly numerous ; particularly along the water
side, by the Plynu>uth Embankment, Mount Batten, and the
banks of the Tamar. — E. M.
Subg.— (The Redbreasts.)
Sp. 38. — ^Redbreast, \ Sylvia rubecula. (LatK)
i Motadlla nibecula. (Lin.)
Common.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 303
Sp« 39, — ^Rbd-start, ^ Sylvia phoenicurus. (Lath.)
or Red-tail, ^ Motacilla phcenicunu. (lAnJ
Rather rare; appears here in the summer; has been often
seen at Leigham,
Subg,^(The Fauvettes.)
Sp, 40, — NioiiTiNGALE, f Curruca luscinia. f Shaw, J
< Motaclilfl lusdiiJa, (Gtn.J
tSylTia luscinia. (laik.J
This biTtl is found as far north as Sweden, anil emigfrates iit
winter to Egypt and Syria. — (r^em,) It m frequent in ttie
centra) parts of England in summer, but rarely seen in Devon-
shire; Is occasionally noticed near Exeter; and Montagu
heard it once on the 4th May, 1806, near Kingsbridge, Devon.
(Orm Diet, Snp-)
Sp, 41.^ — Reed Wren, r Cui¥uca arundincea, (Shmc.)
or Reed Warbler, \ MotacHla « (Lin J
X, SylTia a (iMk.)
Very rare ; seldom seen farther west thtin Somersetabire ;
but is marked a Devon bird, in Carrii^ton's Dartmoor,
42, — Sedge Warbleh, fCurruca salicaria. (Skaw^}
or Sodge Bird, v Motacilk saU;^anEiL* {Li a. J
VSylvIa phragTnUia, iBi>chttein.)
Distinguished from the Reed Wren, by having a white
Rtreak over the eye : visits us in summer* I have one, shot
in May. E, 31.
43. — Grasshopper WARnLER^rCurrnea locusteHa« (Shaw*)
or Graishopper Lark, < Motudlla nvtf Ia« (Gm.J
J^ Sylvia locustoUa. f Tern J
Found, though rarely, in the south of Devon. (MmtaguJ)
Specimens are in possession of the Rev, Mr* Vaughan, and
of Mr, Gosling, of Leigham.
Sp. 44. — The Black CAP,/Curruca atricapilla, (ShattK)
orMockNi^btlnffale, LMotadlU atricapilla- {Lin.}
Arrives in j^prilj and departs in September: is not uncom-
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304 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
mon ; frequents woods and gardens ; a specimen in Drew's
collection — the head of the female is rust colour.
Sp. 45. — The Pettychaps, ^ Curruca Orphea. (Tern.)
or Fauvette, ^ SylTia hortensis. (Beehstein.)
Frequents our woods; arrives in April, and sometimes
remains to October — it is considered rare ; but Montagu found
them on the banks of the Avon; and I have shot it in Bick-
leigh vale, near Plymouth ; a specimen is also in Mr. Rowe's
collection. £. M.
Sp. 46.— The White Throat, < Curruca Sylvia. fSkaw.)
or Nettle Creeper, 5 Syl?ia einerea. Lin.
Very common ; arrives in April, and departs in Sept. £. M.
Sp. 47. — ^Dartford WARBLER,rCurruca ferruginea. Cuvierf
I Sylvia ferrugiDea.-»Roiix.
I Sylvia Dartfordiensis.— La£Aam.
^Melizophilus Dartfordiensis. Leack,
Stated by Montagu to be by no means uncommon in the
south of Devon, where it continues the whole year. (Lin,
Trans.) It frequents furze-brakes; is found in Bickleigh vale,
(R. Julian, esq.) and I have seen it in the neighbourhood of
Withy-hedge, Plymouth — one in Mr. Drew's collection.
Subg^. — (The Hedge Sparrows.)
Sp. 48. — ^Hedgb Warblbr, ( Accentor modularis. Becks.
or Hedg^e Sparrow, 5 Motacilla modalaris*
Very conunon all the year.
Subg.— (The Gold-crests.)
Sp. 49. — GoldcrestedWren ( Regulus vulgaris. — (Shaw.)
5 Motacilla regulos.^Liii.
Common among the fir-plantations all the year. E. M.
Sp. 50. — ^Yellow Wren, rRegulus trochilus. (Shaw.)
Willow Wren, or < MotadUa trochilus. Un.
Ground Wren, ^
Common ; arrives in April^ and departs in September. £• M.
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OF TAB SOtJTH OF DEVOK. 305
Sp4 61.— -lissBB Pbttychaps, fRegulus ■ (CWv.)
' orCMff-Cbafl; ^ Motadlla hypolais. (BecktUin.)
I^SylTia hypoUis. (JLotAaw.)
Common from April to October; it has been occasionally
known to remain with us through the winter.
Sp. 6^,— Wood Wbbn, rR^uIus (Cuv.)
<{ MotadlU ribUatrU. (Gmii.)
tSylTiasibUatrix. (Laik.)
Frequents our woods ; arrives in April and departs in Octo-
ber. E. M.
Sul^.— (The Wrens.)
Sp. &3.— Comioil WbbNi ( Troglodytes Europeeus. Shaw.
I MotacUla troglodytes. (X<iiv>
Common; a white variety in possession of I. Comyns, esq.
another in the British Museum. E. M.
Snbg. (The Didiwashers.)
Sp. &4.«— Whitb Wag«tail.— Motacilla alba. (Lin.)
Common all the year; but I have noticed them in flocks
about August, after which their number is considerably les-
sened, and possibly some of them might migrate. E. M.
Subg.— (The Wag.tails.)
Sp. 66.— SuMMEB WAG«TAiL,/Budytes ' — (Cuv.)
or Yellow Weg>-tiil, LMoUciUa flava. (LtfiO
Common in summer only ; on the l&th August, 1828, immense
flocks of them appeared along this coast, feeding on the sea
shores, and they remained in the neighbourhood about a fort-
night, after which no more were seen. E. M.
Sp. 66.— Obey Wag-tail, jBudytes (CWt?.)
Winter Wag-tail \Motacaia boamla. (Lfn.)
These birds appear generally about October : and although
Montagu observes that he has never been able to find them
in summer, yet I believe with Dr. Tucker ^ that they occasion-
ally do breed here; as I have seen a pair in June, in the
neighbourhood of Bnckland Abbey; and Mr. Gosling, of
o
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306 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Leigham, informs me, he has sometimes found the nest^-tfaej
remain with us till qpring. E* M.
Subg.— (The Titlarks or Pipits.)
Sp, 57.<-*PiPiT Lark, fAnthus arboreus. {Bechstem.}
Field Xark, S Alanda trivialis. (Lin.)
Tree Lark, LAlanda minor. (Gm.J
JUcniagu declares the Pipit to be no other than the common
Tit-Lark, in its winter pliunage— (Vide Om. Diet. Sup. and
Appendix;) if so, it is found here — ^but TetmitmcA; considers
them distinct, from a difference in the claw of the back toe,
which in this is shorter than the toe, and curved to a quarter
of a circle; whereas in the Tit-Lark, it is longer and slightly
arched— he considers it the Field Lark oiLaihom^ sp. 6.
Sp. &8.— Tit-Lark, jAnthus pratensis. Becks.
I^Alaudapratensis. (Qm,)
Common all the year; changes its plumage in winter to
a more brilliant hue, which has given rise to much confu-
sion. E. M.
Sp. 69.— Rock Lark — ^/Ifonra^. TAnthus Aquaticus. Betiis.
Meadow Lark-— of Latkaim, ^ Alanda petrosa. JAn, TramM. v, 4.
Dusky Lark— I>friii. ^— Obsoora
The Rock Lark of M(miagu is common all the year on our
shores. I have taken Temminck's authority for conmdering it
to be the same as the Meadow Lark of Laiham.^^9X. A««-
Syn.4.378.) E.M.
Fam. 2.— Fissirostrbs.
Gen.— SWALLOWS.
Subg.— (The Martlets.)
Sp. 60.— Swift, \ Cypselus vulgaris. (Stephens..)
or Black Martin, \ Hirtmdo apvs. (tin.)
Common; they arrive later and depart earlier than the
Swallows.
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OF THE SOUTH OP DEVON. 307
Subg.— (True Swallows.)
Sp. 61 .-—House Swallow, < Hirundo urbica. (Lin.)
or Martin, ^
Common ; arrires a little after the Swallow. Mr. White,
(History of SelboraBj) states that he found some of these birds
feedijig their young as late as the 29th of September ; and as
their usual time of departure is the 4tb or 6th of October, he
conjsiders that the young could not then be strong enough to
fly, and must remain here; he saw a flock on the 7th of
November, and one bird on Christ Church Tower, Oxford,
November 20th, and another on the 20th, I have seen the
o!d birda feedinn^ their yonng on the 2Chh of September, 1828,
at Warleigh, near Plymouth; and Iiave been assured by a good
observer, that M^irtins have frequently been seen flying daring
mild weather even in the Christmas week, at Plymton. These
birds build in the hollows of the rocks under Wembury cUfls,
as well as about the houj§es in thin neighbourhood. E. M.
Sp, 62, — ^CHiaiNEY Swallow,— Hirundo rustica. (Lin,}
Common ; arrives about the fir«t week in April, and departs
usually about the last of September; though there cannot be
a question but tbat some of tlicm are often found here in wiu^
ter in a torpid state, from which Mr. White supposes they
sometimes revive, from their being seen in December, on a fine
day by Mr. Mark wick, who observed two on the 8th, Some
years ago, six or seven of these birds were found torpid, on
taking down a pile of deal boards, in this town ; — and an
account of fi^e being found on the 28th of November, 18S6,
in a torpid state, from which they were recovered by warmth,
is to be found in the Edinburgh Journal of Science, vol, 16,
and in vol, 17, p. 291, is recorded a singular feet, vie. that
Swallows are seen all the year round in the vicinity of the
furnacas at the Carron Irou-works, Mr. White states that
these birds alt leave at one and the same time ; but this is not
always the case, ns I have noticed the departure of successive
Digitized by VjOOQIC
308 I>R« MOORE ON THE 0RNITH0]/)OT
flocks on the 11th and 12th of September, 1828; after which^
none were seen till the 22nd and 23rd, when another flodL
depaited; these had been accompanied hj IMartins, Swifl%
and Sand-Martins, but on the 26th, a fresh flock began aaseni-
bling on the Leat, near Plymoath, which was composed only
of Swallows and Martins; and on October the 2nd, these dis-
appeared, after which only a few stragglers w^re seen, on the
4th and 6th, It has long been questioned where the Swallows
roost at night, after leaving their nests ;— Mr. White observes
that he noticed them settling in the willow«beds of the Thames.
It appears also that they sometimes settle among the heaths, as
Mr. R, Julian informs me that he once observed them about
dusk, on riding over a down near Plymouth; an immoise
flock rushed by him, flying low, and not uttering a twitter,
and at length setded in the low brudiwood of a plantatiim.
A white variety is in the collection of Mr. Comyns. E. M.
Sp, 63.— Sand Mabtin, fHirundo riparia. (Lin.)
Btnk Martin, *{
Shore Bird, I.
Common ; arrive about the second week in April, and have
been sometimes seen as late as the Ifilh of November. They
build in the sandy headlands at Thurlstone diflb, and also on
the banks of rivers; during the breeding season they are very
shy. I fired at one of them in June 182^ as it was leaving its
nest on the banks of the Plym» near Leigham; and though
there were many nests in the place, the whole flock forsook
the spot, and did not return for that season, E* M*
Geo.— THE GOAT-SUCKERS.
64«~CoMMON GoATSUCKBR,/Caprimulgus Europeeus. Zts.
or Nighl-jtr, 1
Not uncommon ; appears about the first week in May, and
departs in October ; yet in mild seasons they are seen later.
Montagu speaks of one he shot near Kingsbridge, November
8tb, 1805, and I saw a pair in an orchard, hear Somth Milton,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THB gOUim OP DBVON. 309
NoTember lOCh, 1826. They are not uncommon about Slade,
from whence I obtained a pair^ shot by Capt. Pode. Mr*
Comyns has one, with the neck, wing-spot, and tail white.
E-M.
FanL 1. — CoKiaosTttEs.
Gen,— tARKS.
Sp. 65,— SET«*LAEK«^^-Alfiuda arrenBis* fLin^J
Common all the year ; a white variety is in the possession
of Mr, PrideauXf of Plymouth. E. M,
The Crc6ted Lark, or Alaoda crmtata cf authors, is es^
teemed by English writera to be the same as this bird, for
as the SkyoLark occasionally erects its crefit^ it has been sup^
posed to have given rise to a miatnke in the /^peci^ ; however,
Cornier and Temminck coufiider there is a distinct species^ and
the latter author holds it synonimous with the Crested and
Undated Lark of Latham, and with la Coquillade of Bufibn,
Sp. 66, — Wood LAEK,/AIauda arborea, (Lin*)
Lesser crested Larkt \ — ■»■ nemorosn. (Gmn^J
Common all the year ; often seen to pairs in winter : it ha^
long feathers on the hesd capable of being erected into a cr^t ;
and is, according to Temminckp the same as the Lesser crested
Lark of Latham ; AJauda nemort^a of Gmelin* £. M,
G«i-— THE TITMICE.
Sub^,— (True Titmice.)
Sp, 67*— Gee AT Titmouse.— Parus major, (Lm.)
Common all the year* E. M.
Sp. 68* — GoLEHOUse, JParusater. (Lin^)
or Cule Tltroause, I
Common all the year. E. M,
Sp. 69.— Marsh Titmouse*— Parus palustris. (hin*)
CommoQ all the year. £* M,
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310 ^^* MOORE ON THE ORNTTHOLOGT
Sp. 70.-^Blue Titmovsb.— -Parus cseruleiis. (Liiu)
Common all the year. E. M.
Sp. 71. — Long-tailed TiTMousE.-^Panis caudatos. (Lin*)
Common all the year* E* M.
Sobg.— (The Bearded Titmice.)
72. — Bearded TiTiiousEy/Pariis Biarmicus. (£m.)
LCalamophllas biamiicos. (LeaehJ
Rare ; I am informed by Mr. Comyns, that the Bearded
Titmouse is to be fband in the willow beds opposite Topsham,
on the Exe river — a specimen in the collection of C. Tripe,
esq. Deronport.
Gen.— THE BUNTINGS.
Sp. 73.— Yellow Bunting, /Emberiza Citrmella. (Xtn.)
or Yellow Hammer, L
Very common all the year. . E. M.
Sp. 74. — CiRL Bunting. — Emberiza Cirlos. (Lin.)
Not uncommon tfaron^hout the south of DcTon, but particn*
larly about Kingsbridge, where it was first discor^red to be
a British bird by Col. Montagu, in 1800.
Sp. 75. — ^Reed BuNTiNGy/Emberiza Schoeniculus. (Xtn.)
Reed Sparrow. L
Not uncommon. E. M.
Sp. 76. — Common Bunting.— -Emberiza miliaria. (Xtn.)
Very common. E. M.
Sp. 77. — SNOW-BuNTiNG^/Plectrophanes nivalis. (Meyer)
LEmberiza Diyalis. (Ltti.)
Very rare ; sometimes found on Dartmoor. (CarrmgtoiCs
" Dartmoor.) The Tawny Bunting (Em. mustelina,) and Moun-
tain Bunting (£m, montana,) are considered by Cuvier to be
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OF THE SOUTH OP DEVON. 811
the same as the Snow Bunting in different states of plumage.
Temmmck says that they are the young ; — CapU Sabwe is of a
similar opinion, (Linnean Transactions, vol. 12.) Montagu
however maintains them to be distinct; and although he allows
he ^^has less scruple in considering the possibility of the Snow
and|Tawny Buntings being of the same species, yet he cannot
admit so much in regard to the Mountain Bunting, or Lesser
Brambling/' (See Om. Diet. sup. Appendix.) Mr. Stephens
follows on the same side of the question. (See Shaw's Zoology,
Tol. 9.) I shall therefore consider the point not fully estab-
lished, and pass on to the Tawny Bunting, supposing it for
the present to be distinct,
Sp. 78. — Tawny Bunting, ^ Emberiza mustalina. (Omn.)
or Greater Brambling, \ glactalis. (Lath,)
Not uncommon in hard winters in the south of Devon, ac-
cording to Maniagtff who speaks of one diot near the Start,
October 20th, 180S; and of another caught in a net, near
Plymouth, in 1807.
Gen.— THE SPARROWS.
Subg. — (True Sparrows.)
Sp. 79.— HoxrsB Sparrow, J Pyrgita (Cuv.J
( Fnogilla domestica. (Un.)
Common; Mr. Comyns has a white variety, shot at Thor-
yerton, Devon.
Subg.— (The Fmches.)
Sp. 80«— The Chaffinch.— Fringilla coelebs. (Lin.)
Common. £• M,
Sp. 81.— Thb Bramblino, $ Fringilla montifringilla. (Lin)
Moimliia ffiDch, ^
Rare; but occasionally obtained here in winter. A specimen
in Mr. Rowe's collection.
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t P' ^^— r^^^^^^iP^^E - ^ ■■V>B!^-^
*•■■<•
312 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOOir
Subg.— (The Ctoldfinclies.)
Sp« 82«'^GoLDPiNCH,cCardueIis el^^s* St€ph4
or'nii8Uefiiieh,;{FriiigilUcardaeiiB. {Un.)
Very common. E. M«
Sabg. — (The LiimeU.)
Sp. 8d«— Lessbr RBi>POLE, \ Linaria rubra. Becks.
^FringUUlinarU. (Lfo.)
Ratl^er rare $ only seen in winter, in flocks about alder tree&
Sp. 84. — GEBAtBB ReHPOLB, fLinaria cannabina* Bech$4
or Common Lionet, "i Fringttla eannabina. (Idn,J
t ■linota, (lAn.)
Conunon ; the common Brown Lifinet is the young of the
Greater Redpole: and its plumage does not attain the mature
state for two or three years, and not at all if kept in confine*
ment. Mr. Comyns hius a variety with the head white. E.M.
Sp. 85.— The Twite, ^Linaria (Cuv.)
or HoonUiin Unnot, ^ Fringilla montium. (L<».)
Has been found in Devon, according to Polwhele.
Sp. 86. — Siskin, S Linaria Cuvier.
or Abenrine, ^Fringilla spinas. (Lfo.)
Subg.— (The Gros-beaks.)
Rare ; sometimes obtained here in winter. MatOaffUBaw a
small flock in December, 1805; one was shot near Plymouth,
by R. Julian, esq. Two specimens are in Bolitho's coUecticm,
Devonport.
Sp. 87.~C!oicicoN GEOS-BEAK,/Coccothraustes vulgaris. S.
or Hawflncht LLoxia coccothranstes. (Lin.)
Rare; visits England in autumn, and departs in Aprfl; a
specimen in Drew's collection, was shot at Mount Edgcumbe*
Mr. Rowe has another.
Sp.88.— Oeeen GE08-BBAK,rCoccothraustes chloris. <Slr.
Green Finch, or 'i Lozla chloris. (Um.J
(ireen Linnet, i
Common; congr^^tes in winter. E. M.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DfiVON.
Subg.~(The Bulfinches.)
Sp« 89«— The Bulfinch, ^ Pyrrhula Europcea. (Stephens.)
or Hoop, S Loxia pyrrhula. (lAn.)
Common all the year ; Mr. Comyns has a variety quite
black, and another entirely white, except the breast, which is
roseate. E. M.
Gen.— THE CROSSBILLS.
Sp. 90 — ^Crossbill. rjLoxia corvirostnu (Ltn.)
or Shell-apple, L
Rather rare ; arrive generally in winter ; formerly were nu-
merous, but now only occasional small flocks are seen, and in
some seasons, none at all. A few years ago, a male was shot
in a garden in Plymouth, feeding on the berries of the moun-
tain ash — specimens in Drew's collection, and at Ham.
Gen.— THE STARLINGS.
Sp. 91. — Common Starling. — Sturnus vulgaris (£tji.)
Common here in winter ; arriving in flocks in October, and
depart in spring, but some of them have been known to breed
at Haldon, the seat of Sir Lawrence Palk ; in the spring, the
old birds have a yellow bill, and legs of a brown flesh colour.
Temmmck. They leave France in winter. Cupier. Mr. Comyns
has a specimen entirely white. E. M.
GeD.— THE CROWS.
Subg. — (True Crows.)
Sp. 92. — The Raven. — Corvus corax. {Lin.)
Common ; builds on ottr rocky coasts ; a specimen in Drew's
collection^ shot at Saltram. It may be easily tamed when
young, and will descend at the call of its keeper, when flying
in the air ; one of this kind is now in possession of a gentleman
at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth.
Sp. 93. — Common Crow. — Corvus corone. (Lin.)
Common; a white variety in Mr. Comyns' collection.
p p
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314 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Sp. 94. — ^RooK. — Corvus frugilegus. (Zut.)
Common; some of these birds have long established their
nests on some trees, nearly in the centre of Plymouth. Mr.
Comyns has one entirely white, except the scapulars.
Sp. 95. — Hooded or Rotston Crow. — Corvus comix. (Lin.)
Common about our coasts in winter, from October to April.
A specimen in Mr. Rowe's collection.
Sp. 96. — Jackdaw or Chough. — Corvus monedula. (Lm.)
Common all the year; builds in our church towers, and
along the sea cliffs, among the Gulls; thus at Bovisand bay,
Wembury cliffs, and Plymton St. Mary tower. Mr. Comyns
has one entirely white. E. M.
Subg.— (The Pies.)
Sp. 97.— The MAopiB,/Pica Europsea. (Stephens.)
\Coms pica. {Lin,)
Conunon ; Drew's collection. A white variety is in pos-
session of Mr. Comyns.
Subg.— (The Jays.)
Sp. 98. — The JAY,/Garrulus glandarius. (Stephens.)
\Cor?ii8 glandarius. (lin.)
Conunon. E. M.
Fam. 4. — ^Tenuirostbss.
Gen.— THE NUTHATCHES.
Sp. 99. — Thb Nuthatch.— Sitta Europaea. (Lm.)
Common all the year in woody situations. E. M.
Gen.— THE CREEPERS.
Subg. — (True Creepers.)
Sp. 100. — Common Creepbrs. — Certhia fomiliaris. (lAn.J
Not uncommon in our woods all the year. E. M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OP THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 316
Gen.— THE HOOPOES.
Subg.— (The Choughs.)
Sp. 101* — Red- LEGGED Crow, S Freg^ilas gracuhis- Stepft.
or CornisK Crow^ ( Corpus gmculus. {Lin.)
Fan lid on the coast of Carnwall all the year, but only occa-
**ioiiiilIy seen on our shores; three specimens in Drew's
coUectJon. E, M^
Subg. — (The Hoopoes,)
Sp, 102. — ^TiiE Hoopoe. — Upupa epops, (Lin,)
This beautiful bird is uot uu frequently met with in Devon-
shire^ and generally iu autumn , though Mr. White, (Selborne)
says that a pair unce appeared there in the spring ; one was
shot at Warleigh, a few years si nee » another in Sept* 182S,
on Kenton warren, which is in possession of J. Coinyns, esq,
and two killed about the same time at Brideetow, near Dart^
moor, are in the collection of J* Newton, esq. of that place —
another was shot near Ediriburght at the same time. In the
year 1827, a flock of them was seen at Saltrara, by the
Earl of Morley's gamekeeper, of whichj two were shot —
specimens in the collections at Ham, and those of Mr. Howe,
and Mr. Drew.
Gen,— THE BEE-EATERS.
Sp. 103. — The Common Bee-eater, — Merops apiaster, Lin,
This bird is common in Spain and Portug^l^ but occasion-
ally obtained here in spring and summer, during their migra-
tion, as they are not known to breed here. The first specimen
noticed was shot in July, 1794, in Norfolk; and a flight of
twenty was seen in June, and again in October. (Linnean
Transactions^ vol, 3.) In April, 1818, a fine specimen was
shot at Leigham, by Mr. T, E. Goslingi another in 1822 near
Ivy-hridge, A flock of eleven were seen near Helstone, in
Cornwall, in 1828, and were all captured. (See Plymouth
Herald, June 7th, 1828,) One of these is in the museum of
the Plymouth Athemeumj presented by G* S, Borlase^ esq, — a
«!ipecimeu also iu Mr* Howe's collection.
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316 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHMXKIT
Goi.— (THE KING-nSHERS.)
Sp. 104. — Common Kino-fisher. — ^Alcedo ispida. (Xtn.)
Common all the year on the borders of onr rivers ; in winter
they frequent the sea shores, feeding among the sea weeds, on
the retreat of the tide. E. M.
Order 8.— THE CLIMBERS.
Gen.— THE WOODPECKERS.
Sp. 105.— Great BlackWoodpecker.— Picas marthis. Lm.
Very rare; said by Latham to have been found in Devcm-
shire, though some doubts have been started on the subject.
(See Montagu Om. Diet)
Sp. 106. — Green Woodpecker. — ^Picus viridis. (Lin.)
Common all the year; frequently brought to market E. M.
Sp. 107. — Greater spotted WoonPECKER.^-Picus major. £.
Rather rare; Cuvier and Temminckhave still described this
and the P. medius of LhmetUf as distinct ; there is no doubt,
however, but they are the same, as the nest of P. major was
obtained by Lord Stanley, and the young birds answered the
description of P. medius: (See Montagu O. D. Supplement:)
specimens in collections of Mr. Rowe and Mr. Drew.
Sp.l06. — Lesser spottedWoodpecker. — ^Picus minor. Lin.
Rare; this bird is occasionally obtained from the neigh-
bourhood of Oakhampton ; a specimen from that place, in Mr.
Drew^s collection.
Gen— (THE WRYNECKS.)
Sp. 109.— The Wryneck. — ^Yunx torquilla. Lm.
Rather rare ; arrives here in summer only ; is not uncom-
mon in the neighbourhood of Dawlish, according to Mr Comyns,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 317
at whose residence I saw two fresh specimens in May, 1829 ;
a specimen at Ham, was obtained near Plymouth,
Gen,— THE CUCKOWS.
Sp. 110, — ^CoHMON CtjCKOW, — Cuculus canofus, fLhuJ
Cummon \ arrives in Aprils remains till the first week in
July ; thoug^h the young have been occasioDally seen as late
as September, E* M,
Order 4.— GALLINACEOUS BIRDS-
G«n.— THE PHEASANTS,
Sub^. — (Tnie Pheasants.)
Sp. 111.^ — CoMMoKPtfeASANTs,— Phasianuscolchicus. fLmJ
Common ; it is not known when these birds were introduced
into England ; but they are now abundant, and full broods are
often fonnd wild in our neighbourhood; the female not un-
frequently assumes the ptumag^e of the male, even in a wild
state ; an instance occurred at Leigbain, an account of which
was published by Dr. J^ Butter ^ of Plymouth, in theWernerian
Transactions, Montagu suspected it to arise from some change
in the oviduct^ and on dissection of one specimen found it
obstructed. Mr^ Yarrell^ (Phil » Trans. 1827^) has shewn this
to be true, and moreover, that the change may at any time be
produced by obliterating that passage. Hybrids between the
Pheasant and domestic Fowl have sometimes been noticed ; an
iustance is mentioned by the Rev. Mr, White, (Naturalist's
Calendar, 1795,) The Hon, George Herbert shot three of the
kind in 1811, in the woods of Norfolk. {Montagu.) A living
specimen is now in possession of Mr. Kelly^ solicitor, of this
town, obtained from a male Pheasant and common Hen, in a
state of confinement; in its figure and general appearance,
it approaches mostly the character of the Pheasant,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
318 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Hybrids between the Pheasant and Heath Grous, have been
attempted, unsuccessfully, to be produced by the late Lord
Carnarvon, according to Montagu; that such does, however,
occur in nature, is now verified, since in this year (Sept. 1829,)
oneof this kind has been shot at Whidey, by the Rev. Mr.
Morshead. A male Pheasant, female Grous, and one young-,
had been observed for some time in company ; Mr. M. shot
the Pheasant, and in a few days the young one, but the Grous
escaped : — ^the young bird bears the marks of both parents,
but the most prominent characters resemble the Grous ; it dif-
fers however, from it in many points ; the space above the eye
is not bare on the upper lid as ifi the Grous, but that part is
entirely feathered ; the whole of the neck is covered with
black feathers, somewhat mottled ; the tail, instead of bebg
somewhat forked, as in the female Grous, is fan-«haped, and
half as long as in the Pheasant, the tarsi are not feathered, but
bare, as in the Pheasant : — ^the colour is generally (except the
neck) that of the Grous, and it has, also, the white spot on the
shoulders.
The Ring Pheasant is a variety ; of which I possess a speci-
men. £. M.
Gen.— THE GROUS.
Sp. 112. — Black Grous, rTetrao tetrix. (Imi.)
Black Cock, or <
Black Game. (.
Not uncommon ; formerly very numerous on Dartmoor and
Exmoor ; at present they are more scarce, though still pre-
served by Albany Saville, esq. near Oakhampton, they range
over most of the woods in South Devon, in winter; specimens
are in possession of Mr. R, Julian, Mr. Rowe and myself.
E.M.
Gen.— THE PARTRIDGES.
Subg. — (True Partridges.)
Sp. 113. — Common Partridge, ^ Perdix cinerea. Stephens.
( Tetrao cinereus. (Lin J
Common all the year. £. M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 819
Gim,— THE QiAILS.
Sp. 114. — Common Quail, S Cuturuix dactyl isonaa^. Stejth.
Not iiticonimoit; thb k a bird of passu *^e, and usually I'o-
mams with us in small numbersj during tbe summer ordy,
departing about October; but in the severe weather of Janu-
ary, 1630, I purchased one in Plymouth mnrketj proving
that some may remain all the year; 5Ir. Corny ng, Mn Julian,
and Mr» Rowej have specimens also.
Gen,— THE PIGEONS.
Sp, 115, — RiKG Dove, rColumba Palumbus, fLinJ
Ring Pigl^on, "\
Wood PlTuon, L
Indigenous in England, congregates in winter; common
here. £, M.
Sp. 116. — Stock Dove, J Culumba teims. (Lin.j
or WUd Dove, I
Rather rare; appears in the south of England in flocks in
winter. All attempts to domesticate these birds have failed;
it was supposed that all the varieties of the Domestic Pigeon
were derived from this bird, which by Montagu and others is
considered to be the same as the C* Hvia, or Rock Dove; but
Cuvier and Temminck consider ihera as distinct.
Sp, 117, — Rock Dovb, J Columba livia. (Brhsm,)
BlHset Pigeon, \
Rare ; I am informed by Mr* T. E, Gosling, that this bird m
found in a wdd state on the south coast of Devon; and
Poiwhele * states that it exists on the north coast^ near Combe
Martin, and at Limdy island. This ia the true progenitor of
our Domestic Pigeons ; it is distingubbed from the former by
this circmustance, as well as by being white on the rumpi (old
" Hbtory of DeYous)iir<^t ToL L
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320 I>^« MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
and young ;) the fonner were ash-coloured on that part. In
the domestic state it is common.
Sp, 118. — Turtle DovB,/CoIumba turtur. (iMk.)
or Common Turtle, \
Rare; visits us sometimes in summer only ; a specimen was
shot on Estover lawn, in June, 1829, by R. Julian, esq* Others
are in Mr. Comyns', in Mr. Drew's, and Mr. Rowe's coUectioDS.
Orders.— THE WADERS.
Fam. 1. — Bbbvipbnnes.
Fam. 2.-- PBB88IB08TRB8.
Gen.— THE BUSTARDS.
Sp. 119.-^RBAT Bustard. — Otis tarda. (Im.)
Now become very scarce ; Montagu states that a specimen
was shot near Plymouth in the winter of 1798, and two others,
the following year ; in 1804 another was taken to Plymouth
market.
Sp. 120. — Little Bustard, /Otis tetrax. (JAn.)
\Tetrax eampestrls. (ZeaekJ
Very rare ; MatUagu speaks of one shot in December, 1804,
and taken to Plymouth market, where it was sold as a Heath
Fowl. He saw one in a turnip field in October, 1810, in
Devonshire.
Gen.— THE PLOVERS.
Snbg.— (The Thick-knees.)
Sp. 12L — CohmonThick-kneb, r^dicnemus crepitans. Tern.
Thiek-kneed Bustard, < Charadrias ndiciiemos. (X<fi^
Norfolk Plover. (.
Rather uncommon ; arrives here in spring, and leaves us in
October. Montagu says, it is not frequent so far westward as
Devonshire ; but in the mild winter of 1807, two were shot near
the Start, in February; and in the winter of 1826,onEie was shot
near Plymouth, and is now in Drew's collection ; one is atMr.
Rowe's, and another in the collection at Ham.
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OP THB SOUTH OF DBYON. 321
Stibg.-^(Tlie Tnie Ficnrars.)
Sp. 122. — Golden Plover. — Charadrius pluvialis. (Lkn.)
Commoii; remains with us all the year. A brood of six
was obtained on the banks of the Tamar, in 1827; and two
young w«re found on Roborough down, in« 1829, and are now
in possession of Bfr. J. Whipple, of Ply moudu Great numbers
are sold in Plymouth market, in winter. E. M.
Sp. 123. — ^Thb Dottrel, /Charadrius morinellus. (Im.)
or Lfttte Plof er, \
Bare ; frequents the moors in April and June, aud again in
September and November, but it is not known if it breeds in
tiiis district. Several were seen on Dartmoor in September,
1828, by the Rev. S. Rowe ; a specimen is in Mr. J. B. Rowe's
possession.
Sp. 124. — ^RiNQEB Plover, rCharadrius hiaticula. (Im.)
Rio; Dottrelv or <
Sea Lark. (.
Common; frequent our coasts nil the year, but are much
more numerous in winter on the sands at the mouths of the
rivers. In July, 1828, 1 shot several young birds, in company
with the Purres, on the Plymouth Breakwater. E. M.
Gen.— THE LAPWINGS,
Snbg. — (The Lapwing Plovers.)
Sp. 125. — Grbt Squatarollb, f Squatarola grisea. (Steph.)
bwist Sandpiper, or j Tringa squatarola. (IA%,J
Grey Plover. ^
- Rare: found in winter, and departs early in the spring.
Specimens at Drew's. E. M.
Snbg. — (True Lapwings.)
Sp. 126.<*4!:! BESTED LAPWiNG,/yanellus gavia. {Steph.)
or PeewiU tTrioga TaneUas. (LUi.)
Common all the year; cong^egfates in winter, when great
numbers are sent to the Plymouth market. E. M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
322 DR- MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGT
Gen.— THE OYSTER-CATCHERS.
Sp. 127. — ^The OYSTBR-GATCHER^/Hsematopus estralegiis. L.
or Sea-Pie \
Not uncommon near the sea shored in snoiall flocks, in winter*
I possess one with a white ring on the neck; Mr, Comynsand
Mr. Drew have specimens. E. M.
Fam. 3. — Cultbibostrbs.
Tbibb I.— cranes.
Sp. 128. — Common CEANE,/Gras dnerea* {Be^Aitem.}
l^Ardea gnis. C^nJ
Very rare; formerly Cranes abounded in this country. Bay
in his Synopsis, p. 95, says, ** In palustribns Lincolniensibua,
et Cantabrig^'ensibus magni horum greges, hybemo tempore
inveniuntur.'' But for the last sixty years, only four speci-
mens haye been procured, the most recent of which was a fine
male, shot in the parish of Buckland Monachorum, near Ply-
mouth, in September, 1826, which is now preserved in Drew^s
collection.
Tbibb %^HER0NS.
Sp. 129. — Common Hbron. — Ardea cinerea. ^Lm.^
Herons were formerly very numerous, and are still preserved
in this county in Heronries at Sharpham, on the Dart, and also
at Warleigb, near Plymouth, the seat of the Rev. Walter
RadclifTe, to whom I am indebted for a specimen. E. Bf.
Sp. 130. — Crested purple Heron, ^ Ardea purpurea. Gwu
Rufous Heron, r ■ rufus. fLaik,)
Greater Bittern, s ■ BoUnrai. fOm,)
African Heron, C Africana. (Lath,)
Purple Heron, \ purporata. fChnJ
The latter named birds are all different states of the Parple
Heron, (Cuvier ;) it is very rare, only four or five have been
killed in England. The Ardea Caspica, variegata, and Afri-
cana, are, according to Tewminck^ the young of this bird, in
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 323
which plumage it was seen on the banks of the Plym, in
April, 1824, by Mr. T. E. Gosling, of Leigham.
Sp, 131. — Little HERON,'^Ar(iea minuta. (Lin.)
Bittern, f Botaurua rufo^. (Brisson,)
Rufous Bittern, or i
Rayed Bittern, )
y^y rare ; three of these birds, a female and two males,
were shot in Deronshire, in 1808, near Creditou, two of which
are in the collection of Mr. Comyns. The Rufous and Rayed
Bittern of Latham are the young. Temminck.
Sp. 132. — Freckled Heron. — Ardea lentiginosa. (Mm.)
A drawing of this bird is given by MoiUagu^ in the Supple-
ment to the Ornithological Dictionary ; it was shot in 1804.
A specimen exactly corresponding to his description was shqt
at Motbecombe, near Plymouth, December 22nd, 1829, and
psesented to me by John Nichols Hawker, esq. of Rock ; it is
smaller than the Conunon Bittern, but does not answer the
description of the Little Heron ; I suspect it to be the young
of the Conunon Bittern. E. M.
Sp. 133. — Great White Heron, ^ Ardea alba. (Gm.)
or Great Egret, I eg^retta. (Gm,)
The A. alba is, according to Temminckf the young of the A.
egretta. One of this species was seen on the banks of the
Avon, in the south of Devon, in company with several of the
conunon species, by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan. (See Montagu
Om. Diet. Sup.)
Sp. 134. — ^Little White Heron, S Ardea aequinoctialis. Lot.
or Red-billed Heron. (
This bird is marked by Cuvier as the young of the A. cerun
lea, A specimen was shot near Kingsbridge^ in October, 1805,
which was described Jby Montagu^ and is now in the British
Museum, where it was examined by Temminck^ who acknow-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
3^ DR. MOORE ON THE <mNITHeiX>6Y
ledges it to be the Little White Heron, bat does not doubt that
it had escaped from some menagerie, as it is not understood to
be even a European bird. (Manuel d'Ornithologie^ ed. 2,
p. 665.)
Sabg.— (Hie Bitterns.!
Sp. 136u — Gebat BiTTBBK.— Ardea stellaris, (Im.)
Rather uncommon in England ; it has been shot at Warleigh,
and in January, 1829, several were obtained on the riw
Tamar. A specimen in Mr. Rowe's, and in Drew's collection.
Mr. Comyns has two, procured on the Exe in May. On the
17th of December, 1829, a fine specimen alighted on the
roadside, as a butcher's boy was riding along a lane near
Newnham, the seat of 6. Strode, esq. which he struck down
with a whip, and it is now in my possession ; the stomach con-
tained a trout. E. M.
Sp. 136. — Night Heron, fArdea nycticorax.
or GardenUn Heron, "{ ■ garden!. (Qm,)
- nmeultla. (Frink.)
Both CwAer and Temminck state the Gardenian to be the
young of the A. nycticorax, or Night Heron. Mr. Gosh'ng'
informs me, that a specimen was some time since shot at
Leigham.
Snbg.— (The Spoonbills.)
Sp. 187. — ^Thb White Spoonbill. — ^Platalea leucorodea. Gm.
fiare ; Mmaagu says it has been seen on our coasts in winter,
and that two were shot near Kingsbridge, Nov. 1804, and
March, 1807, which were then in his collection : they were in
company with the Common Heron. A specimen in posseaBion
of C. Tripe, esq. Devonport, was shot <m the Tamar; the old
birds have a flowing crest. Mr. Comyns has one, shot on die
Exe.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OP THE SOUTH OP DBVOK. 825
Fftm. 4. — LONGIEOSTEES.
Gen,— THE WOODCOCKS.
Subg.— (The Ibis.)— Ctfv.
Sp. 138.— Bat Ibis, fibis ignea. (Stephem.)
Glofsj msA Ibli fkldneUus. {Tern.)
Oreenlbis, I Tantalus faldneUus. (Un,)
Rare; Montagu conjectured the T. falcinelhis ofLhmeus to
be the state of perfect plumage ; the T. igneus, or Glossy Ibis,
to be the state adyancing to maturity ; and the T. Tiridis, or
Green Ibis, to be the young — this idea is confirmed by Tem^
mincky with regard to the latter, which he also considers the
young bird. Three Devonshire specimens are mentioned by
•WoiUa^v— one shot near Ivybridge, in September, 1805 ; ano-
ther in October, 1809 ; and the third in 1805, is in Mr Comyns'
collection. The Rot. Mr. Radcliffe informs me, that one was
shot near Warleigh, some years ago, and sent to the British
Museum— « specnnen shot on the Exe, is in Mr. Comyns'
collection.
Snbg.— (True Curlews.)
Sp. 189.— Thb CoicicoH Curlew, ^ Numenius major. Stq^K
I Soolopax arqwUa. (Lin,)
Conunon all the year at the mouths of our rivers ; often
pold in the markets. E. M.
Sp. 140. — ^Whiicbrbl, ^ Numenius phsopus. (Latham.)
Not 80 common as the former; visits us in small flocks in
winter— a specimen in Drew's collection.
Siibg.— (True Woodcocks.)
Sp. 141. — ^Woodcock. — Scolopax rusticola. (Ztn.)
Common ; arrive in October and November, according to
the mildness of the season; they are sold in the markets in
great numbers; they occasionally remain all the year, and
Digitized by VaOOQlC
326 l>^- MOORE ON THB ORNITHOLOGY
breed on the moors, of which MmUagu mentioiis some install*
ces. They are sometimes met with of a cream-coloured
mottled hue, of which one was presented to Montagu by Mr.
Bulteel, of Fleet; anoAer was purdiased in Exeter market^
by Mr. Comyns, who has also a white variety, shot by the
Hon. Newton Fellowes, at Exmoutfa. E. M.
Sp. 142. — ^The Snipe. — Scolopax Gallinago. (Lm.)
Conunon, usually in winter ; but some of them breed here,
as I saw a brace feeding among the sea weed in June, 1829;
and Mr. Grosling possesses some eggs, procured in the neigh-
bourhood of Leigham. E. M.
Sp. 143. — ^The Great Snipe. — Scolopax major. (JLtii.)
Rare; has been observed in the south of Devon. (See Mont*
Om. Diet, sup.)
Sp. 144. — Jack SNiPE,/Scollopax Gallinnla. (Om).
or Jadcock. \GaUiiuigo minima. {Siq^ketuJ
Conmion in winter. E. M.
Sp. 145. — ^Brown Snipe, fScoIopax grisea. (Om.)
Red-breasted Snipe, or-i Macroramphus griseos. (Leach.)
Brown Long-beak. t.
Montagu describes a bird under the first name shot on the
coast of Devon, in October; the Scolopax Noveboracensis, or
Red-breasted Snipe of Pennant ^ (Arctic Zoology,) is the same
bird in its spring plumage, according to Temmituiky who also
states that the Red-breasted Snipe of MontagUf (Om. Diet,
sup.) is a Limosa Ru&, or Red Grodwit, in its spring plumage.
(See Fedoa pectoralis, in Shaw's Zoology.)
Subg.— (The Godwits.)
Sp. 146. — ^Red Godwit, fLimosa rufa. (Brisson.)
Grey Godwit, > V/»**«« 1 Scolopax lapponica(Gm.)leucopli«a^I«.)
Common Godwit, J ^^^' ^Fedoa rufc. (Stqi*.)
Much confusion has arisen regarding this and the following
bird ; in its winter plumage this is the Common Godwit of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DfeVON. 827
Pewumif (B. Z.) and towards springy the old male ehioiges the
plumage of the neck and breast from ash-colour to deep red,
when it is the L. Rufa of jBm^oii, and Red Godwit of Buffon^
Bewick^ Temmhickj and Stephens, (Shaw's Zoo.) It is occa-
sionally found here; Drew possesses a specimen in winter,
and one in summer plumage ; a specimen shot near Sidmouth,
October, 1828, is in Mr. Comyns' collection; a brood of seven
was seen on the Tamar, in June, 1828, and four shot. The
£ed-breasted Snipe of Montagu is this bird in its spring plu-
mage, (Temmmcky p. 681.)
Sp.l47. — Black-tailedGodwit fLimosa melanura(Z?Wfer.)
Lesser Godwit, -{ Scolopaz ngocephala et belgica.L.
Jadreka Snipe, L limosa. iUn.)
May be easily distinguished by its tail being always black ;
the old bird, in winter plumage, is the Jadreka Snipe of
Latham; in its spring plumage, it is the Red Grodwit of
LathaMf Pennant^ and Montagu — a specimen is in Drew's
collection ; and another, shot on the Warren in 1829, in that
of Mr. Comyns.
Subg. — (The Sandpipers or Knots.)
Sp. 148. — ^Ash-coloured Sandpipbr^^ Calidris islandica. St.
or Knot-Sandpiper. ^-Tringa cinerea, canutos et
J grisea. (Gm.)
The Knot of Latham and Pennant, (Brit. Zoo. p. 124,) is
the old bird in winter plumage; the Dusky, Freckled, South-
em, and Aberdeen Sand-pipers, are different names for the
young birds after the first moult. Two of these birds in the
plumage of the young, were shot on the Tamar, in August,
•18&8, of which I possess one. E. M.
Sp. 149. — ^Purple SandpiperI Calidris islandica. (Cuv.J
Sea Sandpiper, ^Tringa maritima. f BnmnicA.)
Selninger Sandpiper, J — — nig^ricans. (Mont.)
Rare ; the young of the first year is the Knot of Pennant,
(Brit. Zoo. p. 123.) Drew has specunens shot on the Tamar.
Digitized by VaOOQlC
"^m' ■ , lp-«. ^« -», -
328 I^K. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLbGT
Sp. 160— Little Stiht, rCalidris (Cuv.)
Little Sandpiper, J Trioga TemninoUi. (Lei$ler.)
Least Snipe, or | ' pnsiUa. BediiMn.
Brown Sandpiper. |^
This bird has been confounded widi the Tringa mimita, or
Little Dunlin ; it is distinguished from that bird by the bill
being slightly curved at the point, (only seen in a fresh state,)
and being brown, instead of black ; tail pointed or cuneiform,
in the other doubly forked ; tarsus eight lines long, in the
other ten lines. On comparing the descriptions in Temmmck
and MontagUj I haye no doubt also but that the T. Temminckti
and T. pusilla are the same ; — seyeral specimens have been
obtained in the south of Devon, one is mentioned by Mwdagu.
Others are in possession of Mr. Tripe and Drew ; they have
been seen in small flocks of five (ht six on the Lory, near
Plymouth, in October.
Subg. — (TheSanderUngs.)
Sp. 151. — Sandbrlino, rArenaria calidris. (Jlfcy«r.)
Carwillet, or < Calidris arenaria. — lUistr.
Ruddy Plover. (.Cliaradrius caUdrls.— Li».
This bird is distinguished from the Sand-pipers by wanting
the hind toe; it is said to be conunon on the coasts of England
in spring and autumn, flocking with the Purres, but with us
it is very rare; one specimen in possession of Mr. Comyns,
was shot near Exmouth, in the spring of 1829.
Sp. 162.— The Purbe, fPelidna variabilis.— ^fepi.
Donlin, or S Tringa Tarlabilif. — Tmm.
Red-backed Sandpiper, L dnclns. — h^
The identity of the Purre and Dunlin was first establidied
by Montagu ; the latter is the Purre, in its smmner plumage.
Great numbers of them appear in the mouths of our rivers,
about August, and remain through the winter. Prod^ious
flocks of them roost on the Breakwater, Plymouth, during the
night; some few remain the sununer, and breed here. They
are termed Sanderlings by the common people, but the true
Sanderling is much rarer. E.M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OP TBI BOimi OF DBVON. 329
Sp. ISS*— THBCAPBCuitiBW^rPelidtiasiibaar^mrta, (Cfw.)
Bed Sandpiper,-— Pmmi. J Tringa Tern.
Pygnnay Carlew.— "fiwAt. | Nemephu Afrieairos. Lath,
K, fjfgmem* Beckt,
The Cape Curjeir of LtUiam is the Pygmy Coriew of
Bechiiem; it is described by Montagu^ (Oni. Diet, sup.) uader
the latt^ name, but the true Pygmy Curlew of Latham is the
young of the Tringa platyrbyncha of Temminck^ and not the
Faldnetlus otCwrier^ which is a different bird, and wants the
hind toe. Mr. Rowe has a bird ccMrr^jponding to Montagues
deseriptiDn, aad' wUoh^ agrees with the Tringa subarQiotta of
ef Temmmek Another is in Drew^s collection, who has also
the Red Slind-|>iper:of P^Mml^ which is the same bird, in its
spring plumage.
8uh.*-(The Combatants.)
.Sp. l&4«-r»Fioiltiiro Rupp,f Matbetes pugnax.— ^Sk^pA.
V ReiTe (feoMle) |.Trllig« pugaax. — Lin.
The old nudes acqunre a.ruff of longieathers ^bout die neck
in the breeding season^ which falls off towards the end of June.
The female is^ destitute of a ruff; they are scarce in Devon ;
Montagu had a specimen from Exeter : diey depart in autumn,
tl|oug^ one was shot cm Stapton Lay, 27t|i Decemb^, 1806;
One with a white mff was shot on the Avon, May I7th, 1806—
other Devon specimens are in possession of Mr. Comy ns, Mr.
Bowe» and Mr. Drew. The Shore Sand^piper is the young
bird — the Greenwich Sand-piper, and Yellow-l^;ged Sand-
piper are varieties — the Equestrian Sand-piper is the female in
winter plmnage.
Siibg.<^(The Phalarope^)
'Sp. 155. — GrBET P^ALAltopE, fPhalaropus griseus. Sieph.
Grey oool-fooied Triiigm,< Tringa lobataw— Lin.
Red Pbalarope. I^Phalaropm plttyrhinchns. — Tern,
This'bird is rare in Europe, but we have some specimens-^
one in Mr. Rowe's, and one in Mr. Drew's collection. After
a hard southwest wind on the 6th, 7th, and 8th October,1828,
a specimen was diot on St. John'fi[ lake, on the Tamar ; another
R a
Digitized by VjOOQIC
390 I>R« MOORB ON THE ORNITUOLOOT
was seen in Sandycore bay ; and a fliird was shot on the Exe,
about the same time. The Ghrey P. oi Latham and PewMM is
the young; the Red P. of IjUkam is the spring plumage,
(Temmmek;) the true Red Phalarope (Lobipes of Cwbkrf) has
not been found in Devon.
Subg.— (The Turnstones.)
Sp. 156. — ^TuRNSTONBy rStrepsilas interpres. (Siq^)
Sea Dotterel, "{ Trlnga ioterpriA. XUn.)
Hebrldal Sandpiper, L
Visits us in August, in its passage south ; I saw a brood od^
the Breakwater, in August, and shot the male and one young ;
specimens also are found in the coUectiona of Mr. Rowe and
BIr. Drew. £• M.
Subg.— (The Horsemen.)
Sp. 157. — Grbbnshank^ fToltnus glottis* (Bedutek.)
Green-legged Horaeaan,'| Scolopax glottis. (Um^
CInereons Oodwit, L
The Greenshank o( Pennant is the young; in this state it
visits us sparingly in winter ; specimens beloBg to Mr. Rowe
and Mr. Drew.
Sp. I58«-— Spottbd Redshank, TTotanus fuscus. (Lntikr.)
Dusky Sandpiper, J Soolopax ftisoa. (UmO
Cambridge Godwit, |
Spotted Snipe. I.
Rare ; two have been shot in Devonshire^ (Montagu.) The
Cambridge Godwit and Courland Snipe are die young, says
CnxAet^ p. 590; but Temsminck^ who has shot more than fifty,
declares them to be this bird in winter plumage ; the spotted
Snipe of iMhom to be the youpg; and die Tringa atra of
GmeJM, Dusky Snipe and Black-headed Snipe of XalAosi, to
be the spring dress.
Sp. 159.— Redshank, rTotanus calidris. J?€cA««
Poolsnipe, or < TVinga gambetta^ — 1A%^
Gambet Sandpiper. |^
Not unconunon on our shores in winter, but probably breeds
here^ as 1 have a specimen, sent in June, 1S28, shot oa the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 831
Warren, by Mr, Tucker, of Mount Pleasant ; another in Dreiv's
collection. The Striated Sand-piper of Latham^ is the young
in moult; the Gambet Sandpiper, or Redshank, is the same in
summer plumage. (Temminck.) E. M.
Sp. 160.— GasBN Sakdpipeh, J Totenus ochropus. Tern.
Wood 8uidiilp«r. {Ui^T.j. I.) ( Trlnga ochropus.— Wm.
Rare; isa wintar bird ; considered by Laiham to the same
as the T. glareola, or true Wood ^Sand-piper of Lismeusy but
disproved by Montagu, in which opinion he is followed by
Teammck, p. 653 ; he speaks of one shot in Devon, in August.
A specimen is in Drew's collection. E. M.
Sp. 161.~LoNo-LEGOBi> SANDPiPfia, \ Totanus — Cuv.
Wood Btndplper.— ( Jlofie.) ^ Triiiga grallalorte.— Wome.
Very rare ; this bird was considered unknown in England,
until a specimen shot in August, in Devonshire^ was obtained
by MmUagu. (Om. Diet. Sup.)
Sp. 162.— Com M ON Sandpipee, \ Totanus hypoleueos. Tern.
I Tringa hypoleueos.— fliii J
Common: visits us in spring, and departs in autumn; fre-
quents die rivers, and s<mietimes dives when wounded. Mr.
Rowe's and Drew's collection. E. M.
Sobg.— (The Tme Waders.)
Sp. 163.-^Black-winobd Lohoshanks, C Himantopus meku-
< nopterus. (Mey,)
Long-legged Plover. ( Charadrlafhlniantopii8.Ii.
Very rare ; Mr. Comyns has one shot in Devon, and Mr.
Gosling informs me that a specimen was shot on Slapton Lay.
Gen.— THE AV0CETTE8.
Sp. 164. — ^Thb Avocbt.- Recurvirostra avocetta. (lA»i.J
These birds frequent the mouths of rivers in winter; diey
have been often seen on the Exe, from which Mr. Comyns
obtained two specimens; one in possession of Mr. Tripe, was
shot on the Tamar.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
^ DR. MOOEE ON THE (HDIITHOLOGY
FUB* 6. — ^Macbobjlgttlbs.
Gen.— THE RAILS.
Sp. 165* — ^Watbr-rail, ^ Rallus aquaticus* (JahJ)
or Brook OtizeL I '
Rather common all the year, particularly in autumn and
winter, when they are brought to market; specimens in my
posseBsioDy and in Drew's coUectioiu They are said to be
migratory on the continent* E. BI,
Sp. 166. — Land-rail, rRallus crex. (GmeL)
'Corn Crake, or < Ortygometrft crez. (SUph,)
Crake OalUnule. L
Common; spears in April, and departs in October; sold
' in the markets. E. M.
Sp. 167.^-Spottbd Crake, fRallns porzana. , ^Lim.J
^potted GaUinule, -{ Ortygometra porsBvoa. (JSUphoit.)
Water Crake. L
Rare; obtained as early as the 14th March, and as late as
the 23rd Oclober, in Devonshire, but never in winter months,
(Montagu, Sup.) Two specimens in Mr. Gosling's, and three
in Drew's collection.
Sp. 168. — Little Craker, fRallus pusillus. (OmeUn.)
Little Gallinule, -{ Zapomia iduata. {LeaekA
Dwarf RaU t
Very rare ; only one specimen known, and that obtained by
Dr. Tucker f near Ashburton, 1809. (See Montagu Onu Diet.
Supplement.)
Sp. 169.— Olivaceous Gallinvlb ( GallmulaFoyambii. Af.
OUvaceoos Crake. ^ Ortysametra oUimcea. Stepk,
I do not observe that Cuvier has mentioned this bird ; it was
first described by JVontagUj from a specimen in the collection
of Mr. Foljambe; another was obtained by Mr. Plastead, 6n
the Thames, 1812; and a third is now in possession of Mr.
Drew, which was discovered fluttering against a house in the
town of Devonport, and was caught by some boys, 13th May,
1829.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE 80UTH OF DEVON. 333
Cfen.— THE COOTS on MOOR-HENS.
Subg.— (The GaUinules.)
Sp. 170. — Common Gallmuu, rGalliiiuIa cbloropus. Lath.
Moor Hen. (,
Ccmimon all the year, frequently brought to market in
winter. E. M.
Subg.--(Tnie Coots.)
Sp. I7L— Common CooT,/Fulica atra. (Lin.)
Greater CooU \
Conunon all the year, sold in the markets in winter. E. M.
Order &— WEB-FOGTED BIRDS.
Fam. 1.— Bbachypteres.
Geo.— DIVERS.
9iibg,— (TIm Grebes.)
Sp. 172. — Crested Grebe, JPodiceps cristatus. (Latham)
llppet Grebe. LColymtms cristatus. (Lin.)
Not uncommon about the shores and rivers; one old bird,
and one young, were seen at the mouth of the Exe, in May,
1829. 'Mr.Comyns possesses two specimens, male and female;
and two are in Drew's collection. The Tippet Grebe is the
young, according to Temminck. E. M.
Sp. I73.-^HoRNED Grebe, fPodiceps comutus. (Lath.)
SelaTonian Grebe, "K Colymbns coraatos. {Um^)
Dusky Grebe. (.PofUeeps obscums.
The P. obscums, or Dusky, is the young bird, and in thjs
state ^^is by no means uncommon in Devoiishire," i^s Mimtagu.
The Eared Grebe of Latham^ yar. A, is this bird at two yeais
old, according to Temminck — specimens in the collections of
Mr. Comyns, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Drew.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
334 I>K* MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOeT
Sp. 174. — ^Red-necked Grebe, rPodiceps rubricollis. JLoti.
< Colymbuii sabfcrigUftos. Gm.
Rare ; Latluwi^ in his Bupplement, speaks of one shot at
Teignmouthy in January ; four were killed at Slapton Lay, in
February, 1809, according to M(mtagu. One is in Drew's
collection, shot in June.
Sp. 175.— Little Grebe, fPodiceps minor. (Lm.j
Black-chSnedChrebe, or <
Dobcbick, ^
Common all the year about the rivers ; a specimen with the
whole of the abdomen tinged a light crimson colour, was ob-
tained by Pincombe, of Devonport, in December, 1829. E. M.
Sabg.— (Tme Divers.)
Sp. 176.— Northern Diver, /Colymbus glacialis. fLatham.j
Imber Dijer. 1 inner. (Uin.)
The Imber is now considered to be the young of the Gh'eat
Northern Diver. Montagu states that both of them are scarce
in the south of Devoti. In the mature plumage, I have only
heard of one specimen which was shot on the Exe, in May,
1829 : but in the state in which it is called the Imber, it is
not unfrequent. In December, 1828, a flock of seven was
seen on the Tamar, near Saltash, and one shot, which is in my
possession: another shot ou the Plym, December, 1829, is in
my collection— others are found in the collections of Dr.
Ma^th, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Drew. E. M.
Sp.l77.— Red-*throatedDi ver( Colymbus septentrionalis. JL
Speckled Dljer. < steAatns.— (X^^
Striped Direr. { ttrUtos.— fC^iK;
Rare ; said to be by no means uncommon in the southern
coasts in severe winters, {M(miagu.) Drew possesses a qieci-
men, shot in August; the Speckled and Striped Divers are
now considered to be the young; if so, these are (under the
name of Loon,) frequently found on our coasts in winter;
Drew has one. E. M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 335
Subg.— (The Gmllemots.)
Sp. 178. — Foolish Guillemot, rUria troWe^r^^ Latham. j
Moire, \Colyniba8 troile.--(L2ii.)
This bifd is considered by Cuvier and Temminck to be the
same as the Lesser Guillemot in its spring plumage, but as
Montagu has given some good reasons for considering them
distinct, (See Orn. Diet. Sup.) I shall adhere to the old
arrangement. The Foolish Guillemot frequents our coasts
during the summeri where it breeds, and generally leaves us
for a more southern climate, about August, though a few
instances have occurred of its being obtained in the winter.
I have a specimen shot here February 20th, 1830; specimens
in the collections of Mr. Comy ns, Mr. Rowe, and Drew. £. M.
Sp. 179.— Lesser Guillemot, fUria minor. — fLatham.j
LColymbus minor.— (^Lin.^
These birds appear on our coasts in winter, and as they are
not known to breed here, Montagu supposes they emigrate
from die north at that season; Temminck^ however, states that
this is the winter plumage of the former, but Montagu^ in
opposition to that declares that the Foolish Guillemot does not
change its plumage, as it has been shot in Devon in January,
with the markings of the bird as described in summer ; and I
can corroborate that fact from a bird in my possession, shot
February 20th ; specimens in every collection. £. M.
Sp. 180.— -Black Guillemot, rUria grylle. — f Latham. J
Oreenkuid Doje. < Colymbut grylle. — (Ii».)
Spotted Guillemot. |^
Bare; the Spotted Guillemot is the young bird, and in that
state a specimen is in Drew's collection.
8idig.^(TbB Greenland DoTes.)
Sp. 181. — Com HON Sea Dove, rCephus alle.^C^.)
Uttle Auk. < Mergulos melaiioleiicos. — Stephew.
tAlca alle.— fLtn.)
Very rare; two of these birds have been found far inland in
the south of Devon, one dead, and the other alive. (Vide Orn.
Diet Sup.)
Digitized by VjOOQIC
336 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Gen.— THE PENGUINS.
Sub^.— (The Puffins.)
Sp. 182. — Puffin, fFratercula arctica. — (Stepk.)
or Sea Pftrrott'f Mormon flrAtertida* — fTViN.)
LAlca arctica.— (L<».)
Very rare in the south of Devon, though numbers build on
the north coast at Lundy ishind ; they are occasionally met
with however in mild winters; one was brought to Montagu
in February, 1811, another is in Mr. Comyns' collection.
Subg. — (True Penguina)
Sp. 183. — Razor-billed AiTK,rAlca tordi. fLin.J
or Mnrre. } UtaflNuda tor&au^Um,J
. Citvier considers this synonymoiis with Aloa pica, as well as
Temminck; but Montagu esteems them distinct, (Vide Onu
Diet Sup.) It appears mostly on our coasts in summer, but
I have seen one shot 20th February ; Mr. Whipple and Drew
have Hpecimens. £« M.
Sp. 184. — ^Black-billed Aok, { Alca pica. — fLm.j
White-throated RazorwbiU. ' Utamania pica.---(S(«p.)
Temminck declares this to be the young of the former —
Leach and Stephens follow Montagu in holding them distinct
These birds appear on our coasts in winter only. (Montagu.)
Several are in Drew's collection. E. M.
Fam. 2.^— LoiroiPEVirES.
Gen.— THE PETRELS.
Subg.— (True PetNk.)
Sp. 185. — Stormy Petrel. — ^Procellaria pelagica.
Montagu states this bird to be scarce here, but some of them
are frequently caught in winter in Plymouth harbour, by
flying against the lanterns of the Breakwater light vessel, of
which I possess two; they have been known to breed in
Cornwall. E. M.
Sp. 186. — ^Leach's Petrel.— Proceilaria Leachii. {Tern.)
A rare bird, first discovered by Dr. Leack ; one was killed
in Devonshire, in December, 18^. (Shaw's Zoology.)
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OP DEVON. 337
Sttfog^. — (The Shearwaters.)
Sp» 187.— Shearwater Petrel, ^ Puffinus aDgloriim. Steph.
or Mank^ PafBii. \ Procellaria anglomm. — Tfm.
Bare; is known to breed in Lundy island, on the north
coast of Deyon, a^nd some speeimens iMtve been obtamed in
Plymouth sound. (Drew.)
Gen.— THE GULLS.
Snbg«— (True GoUa.)
Sp. 188.*— Great BLACK-BACKED Gull, S Lani8marinu8.JLtPi.
WagelOuU. { Laros n^Tios. Gm.
Ratberrare; Ic^flesh^vcoloured; occasionally obtained in
Plymouth sound ;. a specimen in Drew's collection of the
young, and a fiae full g^rown male, shot near the Mewstone,
January, 19^ is in my possession* E.AL
Sp, 189. — SiLTBRT Gull, $ Larus argentatus. (Brumdck.}
Herring Gull \ Lams fueiut. (Ch^)
Common all the year ; these birds breed along our coasts,
particularly at Wembury cliffs, near Plymouth ; the young
does not acquire the full plumage till the autumn of the third
year, and is at first .mottled, and so much like the young of the
Lesser Black-backed Gull, as to be only distinguished by
the length of the tarsus. The Herring Gull is the summer
plumage; specimens in Drew^s collection. E. M.
Siibg. — (The Mews.)
Sp. 190. — Lesser black^backed Gull. — Larus fuscus. Lm.
Has been confounded with the L« marinus, but is only half
its size and weight; legs yellow; it is occasionally seen in '
Plymouth sound; a specimen in Drew's collection.
Sp. 191* — Common Gull, ? Larus cyanorhynchus. (Meyer.}
Winter Mew. f Larus caiHU. (lAn,)
Conunon on our shores all the year, (Memtagu^ a specimen
in Drew's collectioa; the Winter Mew, or Coddy Moddy, is
the young bird. £• M.
St
Digitized by VjOOQIC
338 I>R* MOORE ON THE ORNITHOLOGY
Sp. 192^— BLACk«HEADED GuLL^rLarus ridibundus. Leisler.
Red-legged Gidl, \ _ erythropiu^ — (Gm.J
Brown GqU, or Tern. v Sterna obscunL—^llafA.^
This bird baa in iconsequeiice of its change of plumage, been
multiplied into fire oi^ six speeies; but Montagu has ascertained
that all the changes refer to on^ species, atnd are effected in
one year ; in the nestling feathers it is the Brown Tern ofRcy^
in the second change it is the Brown Gull of Latham; third,
in autumn, it is the Brown-beaaed Gull, (L.erythropus; fourth,
in winter, Red-l^ged Gull, (L. tinerarius;) and fifth, it is the
Black-headed Gull, (L« ridibundus,) in tlie perfect spring
plumage. In its winter plumage it is not uncommon with us ;
specimens are in my own and Drew's collection, bnt in its
sprmg plumage it is verf rare« illbiifa^spedDs of having
sera it as late^as July, in the south of Devon. £• M.
Sp. 198.— KiTTiwAKE Gull, fLarus tridactylus.— ^Lm.y
Tarrock GuIK < rlssa.— <I4».^
(^RisM BramicML-f Lmei.>
Montagu says this bird ia scarce on our coasts, but I have
frequently seen them in Plymouth sound, where I shot one in
July, 1829, now in my possession. The Tarrock is the young
before the second autumnal moult; these frequently visit us.
I obtained two in the Sound, in November, I^^ and two in
Aufj^ust, 1829, now in my possession. The name is doubtless
derived from die cry of the bird, which it utters a^its breeding
place, when alarmed, pronouncing the word ^Kittiwake"
quite distinctly, as I have experienced at the Bass island. E. M.
Sp. 194.-^LiTrLE GuLi.. — Larus minutus.^Iim^
Very rare; the only British specimens known are three;
the first A6t itt the Thames, niear Chelsea, was described
by Montagu, (Oru. Diet. Sup. Index ;) another was shot at
Brent, in the south of Devon, by Mr. C. Prideaux, and is now
in the British Museum; the third was shot September 28th,
1828, by J. Whipple, esq. surgeon, of Plymouth, twenty miles
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THB SOUTH OF DEVON. 339
up the' Tamar, and is now in that gentleman's possession. It
corresponds exactly with the drawing and description in
Mimtagu^s work ; and is evidently a young bird of the first
year, from the bar at the tail, and the pale flesh-coloured legs ;
Temminck states that in the winter plumage it has viWd red
legs, and in fhe summer has a black head, neither of which is
the case in Mr. Whipple's specimen. It is remarkable that •
all these birds have been found far up the rivers; it must
argue a gfreat want of Ornithological knowledge to confound
this bird with the young Kittiwake.
Salig.-^(The Jag«n.)
Sp. 196^,^— Arctic CKjll, f Lestris parasiticus.^^ Teiii.^
BlM^toed OiMl* { Um Arepiiiatiii.— (£.111.}
LStercormrius oepphuSir-<Sf<p.)
The Black«toed Gull is now determined to be the young of
the Arctic; in that state it has been procured here. Drew
possesses one specimen ; and after a severe south-west gale,
in September, 1828, two others were obtained. One was shot
in a field, by the gamekeeper of J. Tonkin, esq. which is now
in possession of R. Juliap, esq.; and on October 9th, 1828,
another was caught in Catwater harbour, Plymouth, in an
exhausted state, by a water spanid, which is now in my pos*
session. It exactly corresponds with the figure and description
of Bewick; and is a young bird of the first year, according
to TemmmcVs description, except that the two central tail
feadiers project about an inch, whereas he says, ^ queue
seulement arrondie,'' p. 798« £. M.
Sp. 196w— Skua Gvttw— Lei^ris catarractes.
Very rare; a specimen was obtained here by Mr. Drew, in
February, 1880, and is now in his collection.
Gen.~THE TERNS.
Sp. 197. — ^Common Tern.— Sterha hirundo. — JJn.
Frequents our coasts ; specimens of old birds in Mr. Rowe*s
and Mr. Drew's collection. In October, 1828, a strong gale
Digitized by VjOOQIC
340 DR. MOORE ON THE ORNITHOIX>GT
brought in great numbers of the young birds, which frequented
the shores of the harbour for two or three days; many of them
were very weak, and some were picked up starved, of which
I possess a specimen. £• M.
Sp. 198. — ^Lesser Tern, ) Sterna miuuta.— ^£m.y
or Hooded Tern. J
Rare; two specimens in Hr. Drew's collection, shot in the
Sound.
Sp. 199. — Sandwich Tern, rStema cantiacaw— {Gm.)
African Tem, -| '" Africana. — (I^n.)
Striated Tern (Young) L BlriMft.— C«».>
Rare ; a pair of these birds shot in Plymouth harbour, was
in possession of a man at Devonport, which I examined, after
they had been sold to an itinerant collector, (1829.)
Sp. 200. — ^Black Tebn, TStema nigra. — (Ota.)
Brown Tern, J ■ ■■■ fisBipef /-<Om.)
Leaser Sea Swallow | ■ ob6cara.-^Giii^
Although all the Terns generally leave us about the middle
of October, yet JUonteyu obtained one of these in October,
1822, in Devonshire. The Brown Tern of Latham is the
spring plumage; and the S. Naevia of GmeUn is the youngs
(Tenmincky) of which Drew has two specimens, and Mr.
Comyns one.
Fam. 3.— ToTlPALHES.
G«n.— THE PEUCANS.
Siibg^~(The Corvoiwts.}
Sp. 201.— The CoRvoRANT,rPhalacrocorax carbo.— -iS/^A.
\Peleoana8 oarbo.— (Liii.)
Common on the Shagstone, Plymouth ; this species acquires
a deep greenish brown crest in the spring, and has been then
supposed a distinct species, but is ascertained to be the same.
It is generally from three feet to three feet four inches long.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OP THB SOUTH OF DBVO^. 34I
and thus may be distinguished from the Crested Cormorant
of Tenminekf which is only two feet two inches long. The
young are said to want a crest in winter; but I have a speci-*
men, shot in Plymouth sound, November lOdi, 1829, which
corresponds with TemmincVs description, except in having a
crest of short feathers of a gireenish black colour; and the eyes
being light brown, with a pale green tinge.
Sp. 202.— Shag, JPhalacrocorax graculus.— ^/epA.
ot Green Corvorant, LPelecanus graculus.— (Xin.^
Common all the year on our rivers and sea shores ; speci-
mens in my own and Drew's collection. £. M.
Subg» — ^(The C^aonets or Boobies.)
Sp. 208.— -The Gannet, fSula alba. — Meyer.
Boland Goose, or -| Felecannt bassants.-— (Lin.}
SpottedBooby (Yoimg) L
This bird is frequently seen in the 'Channel on our coasts in
the winter, as late as April ; after whidi it retires to its breed-
ing place, of which the most southern spot was supposed to
be the isle of Bass, in the frith of Forth only, and hence the
bird received the name of Pelecanus bassanus ; but other
places are now known, such as Aflsa crag, in die mouth of the
Clyde ; and I am assured by Mr. Comyns, that they have been
so long accustomed to resort to Lundy island, on the north of
Devon, that one spot has received the name of Grannet cove.
Some of them are procured every winter in Plymouth sound,
when in pursuit of shosds of fish. In January, 1829, g^eat
numbers were seen, and one pefson- shot nine of a morning;
specimens are in possession of Mr« Tripe, Drew, and myself.
KM.
Fam. 4»— LAMSLLiaosTRBS.
Gen.— THE DUCKS.
Sub.—- (The Swans*)
Sp. 204.~WiLD Swan, f Cygnus (etm.^(St€ph.)
or Whistling Swan, L Anas cyiffkmt-^(IA%,y
Bare; leaves this country in summer; is sometimes met
with among the flocks of Wigeon in British rivers, in bard
Digitized by VjOOQIC
342 ^^' MOORB ON TBE ORNITHO|X)OT
winters ; one was shot on the Tatnar, which is now in poflnrwiicm
of J. Newton, esq. of Bridestow. The sey^e weather of
January, 1830 brought great numbers of them into Deyon-
shire; I saw thirteen at different times in Plymouth and
Devonport marlcetSy and many were shot in the north, of which
a specimen was sent me by the Bey. T. Lawi of T<Hrrington«
Sabg.— (The Oeese.)
Sp. 205.— Wild Goosb, /Aneer ferus.~(iS!r^ie»f.)
Grey-leg Goose, \ Anas aiiier.—Ii#fi.
This is the source from whence our domesticated Geese are
produced ; in their wild state they are sometimes shot here in
winter. I saw specimens in Plymouth market in January,
1829, and several more in January, 1830.
Sp. 206. — ^Bbam Goosb, fAnser s^^etum.— vS^^A,
LAnas seg^etam.— •Gfm.
Said to bp WLQfre friequent than the former in England*
Jlfoii/a^ mentions tM^o Peypn spedm^is; many w^re obtained
h^e in January, 1830^ of which I l^ve a qpecimen. £• M,
Sp.207«— WliiTB-FftOMiBi) GqosB /Anseralbifroo^— i?edl^,
Laughlngr Goose. L Anas albifironsw-^Kii.
Generally rare; Mr, ComyMs possesses a specimen, shot on
the Warren, ^t the moudi of the Exe. Dr. Magrath, of Ply-
mouthy has a specimen. In January, 1830, great numbers
9rerediotbere,aii4 the markets iirer^ crowded with them. £«M*
Siibg«-.(Tba Btfnades.) .
Sp. 208. — ^Bbrnaclb, rAnser leucopsis.— (J^ecA^r.
or Clakis. < Anas erythropns^— ^m.
(.Bernida erytliropas.«--Slqitoi#.
Rarely met with on the south coast, except in severe weather,
{Montagu.) Mr. Comyns has two specimens, shot on the
Wiorren, Exmouth.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
. OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 343
Sp. 909.--i>BREHT or Brand Goosb rAnser bernicla f
< Anas berDicU.— Gm.
i Bernicla brenta. — Stepkem.
Sometimes obtained in the west of England, in the winter.
Drew has a specimen. E. M.
Sp. 210.— ^EoTPTiAii Goose, rAnser iEgyptiaca. — (Cuv.)
Egyptian Spnrwing. -I Anai^ — fUnO
I^CIienalopex (Sleph.)
Very rare ; Mr. Comyns has a specimen of this bird, which
was shot on the IFarren, near Sidmonth ; but as this species is
sometimes attempted to be domesticated in Englahd, it might
possibly be a strayed bird.
Subg.— (The Scoters.)
Sp. 211.— Scoter or Black DiVBR/Anas Nigra. — (Lin.)
\Oi(lemia Stepk,
Rather rare; I possess a fine male s|^cimen, shot on the
Lary, near Plymouth, in January, 1829. The young male is
similar to the female but with the knob and yellow mark on
the bill of this; Drew has a specimen. The female has no
knob, and the bill is a dark hom-colour ; specimens in pos-
session of Drew and Mr. Whipple. E. M;
Sp. 212.—THE Great Black Duck r Anas fusca.*-(Xtfi.)
Doable Scoter, or < Oidemia Uucai^^Skaw,
VelTel Dodu [^
Very rare; stated by Polwhele, in his History of Devon, to
have been found in Deyonshire.
Sp. 213.— LoNO-TAi&BD DiTCK,/Anas glacialis^ — (-2^^)
Swdlowtailed Shieldrake, \Haretda ■ SbpA.
Rare; one instance only occurred to MinUagu of procuring
this bfard in the south of Devon. (Om. Diet. Sup.)
Sp. 214*-HARLBQiriH DircK, rAnas histrionica.*-(£tii.)
Little Brown and White Dvck,-{ adnata.*(X<ii.^
I^CIangula lii8trlonica.~-8tepA.
Very rare ; 6nly two specimens are known as British. The
A.minuta is the female, of which a specimen lately diotin
Digitized by VjOOQIC
344 DR* MOORB ON THE ORNITHOLOGT
Plymouth harbour, is now in possessiop of Mr. C. Tripe^ of
Devonport.
Sp. 216. — Golden Eye Garrot, fAnas clan^la. — (tan. J
MoriUon (Young) X Olangola dirysophUitlraos. StepA.
(. Anas glaucion. — JAtu
Rather rare ; sometimes occurs in severe winters ; specimens
in possession of Mr. Tripe, Mr. Rowe, and^Mr. Drew. E. M.
Sabg.— (The Eiders.)
Sp. 216.— Eider Duck, /Anas mollissima.— /"J^^y
or Cuthbert Dock, LSomateria aiollbslma.— Sf <pA.
Very rare; one shot on our coast in the winter of IdOT,
{MwUagu^ and a female was shot near Plymouth, January,
1830, now in Drew's collection.
Subg.F-'Clle Pochards.)
Sp. 217. — ^Pochard, TAnas ferina.— ^lin.)
Poker, or \ Foligula ferinay-«Se^|i^
Redheaded Wigeon, L
Not uncommon in winter; sold in the markets; Drew has
specimens. E. M.
Sp. 218. — Scaup Duck, fAnas marila.^X«s.)
White-fronted Duck (female)< Fuligula marila.— See/»4.
t Anas frsnata of Sparman (Jtmalt)
Generally procured here in winter; several were obtained
in January, 1829; the female only has the white forehead;
specimens at Drew's. £. M.
Sp. 219.— Tufted Duck, ^Anas fuligula4*-(Xi»i«)
Tufted Pochard, I Fuligula qristata.— SI«pA.
Lapmarok Duck, J
Brown Duck, (
Frequently shot on Slapton Lay in winter; several in Ply-
mouth market, January, 1829, of which 1 have one. The
Lapmarck Duck of PeimjoaU is the young of the first year ;
and the Brown Duck, that of the second year, (T^emmMk^
E.M.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THB SOUTH OF DEVON. 345
Snbg. — (The Shovelers.)
Sp, 220. — Shovelbb, r Anas clypeata« — lAn.
\RhyDchaspi8 clypeata.— LeaeA.
Rare; a specimen in Drew's collection, from the south of
DeFon, and another in the collection at Ham.
Sabg. — (The Shieldrakes.)
Sp. 221. — SHiBtDRAKBy /Anas tadoma. — lAn.
or Burrow Dock, \Tadonia Bellonli. — SUph*
Is said to remain all the year in Britain ; breeds on Braun^
ton burrows, in die north of Deyon, and is obtained in winter
in the south ; specimens are in possession of Mr. Tripe, Mr.
Rowe, Drew, and myself. E. M.
Sp. 222. — ^PiNTAiL Duck, /Anas acuta.-^Ztft.)
or Sea Pheafant, \Daflla oaodacata. — SUfh.
Rather scarce ; in January, 1829, great numbers were
brought to our market, and supplied all collectors ; specimens
in the possession of Drew and myself. In the serere weather
of January, 1830, when we were inundated with Wild Greese
and Swans, only two of these were obtained ; probably they
had gone farther south. E. M.
Sp. 223. — Wild Duck, fAnas boschas. — Lin.
Ttane Dmdc — (Var.) S domMtica. — JAn,
Hook-bUledDvck— (Var.) L adunca.— Lin.
Common ; some of them breed here. E. M.
Sp. 224. — Gadwall or Gret. — Anas strepera.— ^Zim.)
Very rare; one specimen in Dr^w^s collection.
Sp. 225. — Common Wigbon, {Anas Penelope. — lAn.
Whewer or Whim. c Mareca. fistolaris. — SUpK
Very common in winter; specimens at Drew's. E. M.
Sabg.— (The Teal.)
Sp. 226. — Garganby Teal, rAnas querquedula. — Lin.
Summer Teal, or < ■ cirda.— Lin.
. Garganey. (.Qaer^uedula cirda.— S^ciiA.
Found sometimes in summer, and also in winter, though
T T
Digitized by VjOOQIC
I
345 DR. MOORB ON THB ORNITHOIX)OT
sparingly ; the Garganey of Latham is the young ; a specimen
in the collection of Mr. Tripe, Devonport-— another in that of
Mr. Comynsy shot on the Exe.
Sp. 227. — Common Teal, /Anas crecca. — Lin.
or l^Hnter Te«l, \Querquediila crecoa.— SCipJb.
Very common in winter ; specimens in Drew's collectioii,
and others. E. M.
Sp.228. — ^Mbroamsbb or GoosANDBRCMergus morgans^. Zi.
Pun Diver, or /— -. cutor.<^LIii.
Sparling Fowl. ^Merganser Bail.-— ^JecpA.
Rather rare; the Dun Diver of authors is the female or
young of the Merganser, and in this plumage is sometiBiies
met with on our coasts, in winter ; Drew possesses spedmens
of the male and female, and I have the young bird. E. M.
Sp. 229.— Rbd-bbeasted Merganser rMergus smratoi^Xw.
Le886r^oihedDi?er»or < Merganser serrata—oCqift.
BlaclL Merganser. t.Mergiu niger.
Rare ; the Black Merganser is the young male. The Red-
breasted Merganser is sometimes found here in winter. Mr.
Comjrns procured one in Exeter market, in 1808 — another
was shot on Slapton Lay, by Mr. Holdsworth, in November of
the same year — and another at Leigham, a few years since.
Mr. Rowe and Drew have specimens ; and there is a fine male
in the collection at Ham, near Plymouth.
Sp. 290.-^Thb Smew, /Mergus albellus.— ^£m.y
or White Nan, j minnms.— X4ii.
Red-headed Smew,
Lough Diver.
Not uncommon in winter; the Lough Diver, or JMbiute
Smew is the young male of the Smew— 4be Red-headed S. is
the female; specimens in possession of Mr. T. E. Gosling, Mr.
Drew, and Mr. Comyns, who has both male and female, shot
on the Warren, at Exmouth.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF THE SOUTH OP DEVON. 347
During the progress of the above catalogue through the
press, 1 haFe discovered that two other specimens may be
added to it.
Subg.— (The Jer-falcons.)
Sp. Thb Jer-palcon, fHiero-falco, — (Cmv.J
Iceland Falcon, or *{ FnXtb Ulandicos. — (I-ath.J
Sacre. L Gyr-falco.— fGfmJ
On the authority of Polwhele, I add this to the Devon
birds — It should be placed after sp. 4. The Kestrel.
Tribb B.'^tORKS.
Sp. Thb Whitb Stork. — Ciconia alba^ — (Brisson.)
Very rare; three of these birds have, at different times,
within the last ten years, been obtained on Slapton Lay, near
Kmgsbridge. (T. E. Crosling, esq.) — It should be placed
after sp. 136, The Night Heron.
I have throughout the preceding pages adhered to the
specific names of CuvieTf but as he does not giro any trivial
names, I have in many instances selected them from the con^
tinuation of Shawns Zoology by Mr. James F. Stephens. I am
not conscious of having cited any specimen which has not
some authority for its being a Devon bird ; and the entire
number (232) will be found greatly to exceed those of Sussex
(175,) enumerated by Mr. Jtfarckwick^ (Lin. Trans, vol. 4 ;)
and those of Norfolk and Suffolk (217,) as given by Messrs.
Skeppafd and WhUear^ (Lin. Trans, vol. 15.) Thus, 1 hope,
it will be admitted, that the picture I have drawn at the
commencement of this paper, of the advantages which this
beautiful county offers for the pursuit of Ornithology, has
not been exaggerated or too highly coloured ; and when we
notice the great number of species which the south of Devon
presiSRtB to us, we may anticipate that the catalogue might be
made more extensive, if individuals who have more leisure
and opportunity than I have, would devote themselves to the
subject, in the interior and northern parts of the county.
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848 !>&• MOORB ON THE ORNTTHOLOGT
In order to foiTA a complete catalogue of. British birds, I
subjoin a list of tbose which are considered belonging to the
British islands, but which have not hitherto been noticed in
Devonshire — ^these are-
Order 1.
Geo.— FALCONS.
. The Lanner — ^Falco lanarius — MinUagu.
Spotted Falcon — ^Falco versicolor — Pemumt.
Rough-legged Falcon — Falco lagopus — lAn. Tnuu. v. 16.
Swallow-tailed Kite — Falco furcatus — Lm. TV. v. 14L
Gai.— OWLS.
Scops-ieared Owl — Scops Am^^Shaw v. 13.
Snowy Owl— Strix nyctea — lAn. Tr. v. 15.
Order 2.
Gen.— SHRIKES.
Woodchat-^rLanius ruficollis — lAn.
Gen.— FLYCATCHERS.
Pied Flycatcher — Muscicapa albicoUis— Ztn.
G^— SOFTBILLS.
Lesser Whitethroat — Curruca sylviella— Xin. Trans, v. 15.
Alpine Warbler } Accentor alpinus — Bech. Shaw v. 13.
or Collared Stare ) MoUcilla alpinus — Lin.
Richard's Lark— Anthus Richardi— iSAato^ v. 13.
Gau— SWALLOWS.
Austrian Pratincole*— Glareola pratincola— Xtn. Tram. v. 11.
Gen.— LARKS.
Red Lark— -Alauda rubra— itfbiila^.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 349
Gen—TITMICE.
Crested Titmoyse — Parus cristatus — ShawjV. 13.
Gen.— BUNTINGS.
Mountain Bunting — Emberiza montana — Montagu.
Lapland Bunting — Plectrophanes lapponica — Shaw^v. 14.
Gen,— SPARROWS, or HNCHES.
Tree or Mountain Sparrows-Passer montanus — ShaWf v. 14.
Gen.— CROSSBILLS.
White-winged Crossbill — Loxia falcirostra — Lin. Tra$u. v. 7.
Pine Grosbeak ( Corythus — CStv.
( Strobilophaga enucleator. — Shaw v. 14.
Gen.— CROWS.
Nutcracker ? Caryocatactes-^CVev.
I Nacifragra caryocatactes. — SSI. v. 14,
G^.— ROLLERS.
Roller — Coracias garrula — Lm. Tran. v. 15.
Order 3.
Gen.— WOODPECKERS.
Hairy Woodpecker — ^Picus yillosus— iSbotc.
Order 4.
Gen«— PEACOCKS.
Peacock— Pavo cristatus. X«n.«— domesticated.
Gen.— TURKEYS.
Turkey — ^Mdeagris gallopavo. 8h. v. II.— domesticated.
Gen.— PINTADOS,
Pintado-^Numida meleagris. Sh» v. 11.— dome8ti<»ted.
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350 ^^* MOORE ON THE ORNfTHOLOGlT
Gem.— PHEASANTS.
Cock — ^Gallas Bankiva. TVm.— domesticated.
Gen.— GROUS.
Wood Grous— Tetrao urogallus — Lm.
Red Ptarmigan — ^Tetrao lagopus — L^
Ptarmigan — ^Tetrao albu8-*X<oi.
Geih— PARTRIDGES.
Red-legged Partridge— Perdjx rufit — (Ray.) Lin. Tr. v. 15.
Order 5.
Gea.— PLOVERS
Kentish Plover — Charadrius cantianus — Sh. v. 11«
Gen.— RUNNERS.
Cream-coloured Plover — Cursorius isabellinus — Sh^ t?« 11.
Tribe— HERONS.
Cayenne Heron — Nycticorax cayenensis— <S%. v. 11«
Egret — Ardea garzetta-— Xir^
Squacco Heron — ^Ardea ralloides — Lm. Tran. v. 15.
Tri're— STORKS.
Black Stork — Ciconia nigpra — Lm. Tnms. v. 12.
Gdn.— WOODCOCKS.
Sabines' Snipe — Scolopax Sabini-^l<tfi. TV. v. 14,
Little Woodcock — Scolopax minor — Pennant. Bri. Zoo.
Brazilian Curlew — Phoeopns gnarana«-Jlfaii<a^.
Red Phalaropo— Lobipes hyperborea — Sh. v. 12.
Black Sandpiper— Totanus Lincolniensis— Pevi.
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OF THE SOUTH OF DEVON. 351
Bed-legged Sandpiper-^Totanus Bewickii — Sk. v. 12.
Buff-breasted Saadpiper^'Tringa rafescens — Lm. Tr. v. 16.
Spotted Sandpiper — ^Tetanus macularia — Sh. v. 12.
Gen.— RAILS.
Baillion's Gallinule— Rallus Baillionii — Ian. Tr. r. 13.
Order 6.
Gen.— DIVERS.
JBared Grebe— Podiceps auritu»-^S%. v. 13.
Black-throated Diver— Colymbus arcticus — Sh. v. 12.
Gen.— PETRELS.
Fulmar Petrel — Procellaria glacialis — Lm.
Gen.— GULLS.
Glaucous Gull — Larus glaucus— 5A. v. 13.
Pomarine Skua— Catarractes Pomarina — lAn. Tr. v. 15.^
Masked Gull — ^Larus capistratus — Sh. v. 13.
Gen.— TERNS.
Roseate Tern — Sterna Dougalii — Mani.
Gull-billed Tern — Sterna anglica — Mont.
Arctic Tern— Sterna arcdca^— 5A. v. 13.
Gen.- PELICANS.
Crested Shag— Phalacrocorax cristatus — Sh. v. 13.
Gen.— DUCKS.
Tame Swan, r Cygnus olor
Chinese Goose, } ) Sinensis.
i
or swin Qoo^! J < > Domesticated.
Canada Goose, ^ Canad^isis.
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352 DR. MOORE ON ORNITHOLOGT, ie.
Red-breasted Goose— Bernicla raficollis — Sk. v. 12^
Black Dack — Oidemia perspicillata — Sh, v. 12.
King Duck — Somateria spectabilis — Sh. v. 12.
Muscovy Duck — Cairina sylvestris. (Bewick.) Domesticated.
Bimaculated Duck — ^Anas glocitans — Un. Tr. v. 14.
Nyroca Pochard , 1 Fuligula Nyroca — Sh. v. 12.
Castaneous Duck, or f
Ferruginous Duck — Mont. Om. Die. Sup. J
Ferruginous Pochard, 7 Fuligula ferruginea— ^. v. 12.
or Ferruginous Duck— iHofif 0. D. v. I . )
Pfymauih, Mar. 20, 1830.
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APPENDIX.
OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTION.
1830.
Prmii>siit, Bfr. Hbnrt Woollcombb.
TMr. Prancb,
ViCB-PRBSiDniTB, < Dr. E. Moore,
^Mr. J. N. Bbnubtt.
Trtaturer^ Mr. Hbnrt QAxnr , . • .SeereUny, Mr. R. W. Coryndon.
LOfrary^ R«t. R. Lunbt, I ^ifNiroliir, Mr. W. 8. Harris,
Mutemny Mr. £. N. Gabrib£, | iKAeiumm, Mr. Wi«htwick.
His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian
ofWied.
Mr. Robt. Were Fox, FalmmUJk.
Mr. Beig. R. Haydon, Lond<m.
Mr. Nathaniel Howard, Eton.
Mr. James Montgomery, Shi^ffield,
Mr. James Northcote, R. A: London,
Mr. William Rosooe^ Liverpool.
Mr. John Perkins, London.
Sir Robert Seppings. London.
Mr. John Barton, Mint^ London.
Mr. Charles L. Eastlake, JZome .
Mr. Edward GriiBths, London.
Dr. W. £. Leaoh, F. R. 8. F. L. S. &c
Loiufoii.
Mr. N. T. Carrlngton, London,
Capt. Parry, R. N. F. R 8.
Mr. John Barrow, F. R. 8. Secrtiary.
to the AdmiraUy.
C^»t. Franklin, R N. F. R. 8. &c.
Mr. Horaoe H. Wdson^ CaUmtta.
ReT. T. Byrth, M. A. F. R 8. LaUkr
ford^ CKUkire.
Mr. JohnBritton, F.R.S.F.S.A.ftc
London.
Mr. £.W.Brayley, F.S JL &c Undon^
V V
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854
APPENDIX TO THE TRANSACTIONS
CortcspontiCns iV[embcrs.
Mr. James Adams, jim« Portsmouth,
Rev. William Dalby, M. A. Vicar of
WamUfuter*
Mr. Edward Gandy, London.
Rev. W. Evans, ParJnoood, Tavistock,
Mr. George Ogg, London.
Mr. Wm. Watts, Penzance.
Rev. J. U Harris, M. A. PlpnstocJc.
Mr. Chas.Prideaux, Kingshridge.
Mr. William MorgpD, PoHsmtmih.
Mr. J. L.Bickiiell, F. A.8. Greenwich.
Mr. A. N. Orovea, Persia.
Mr. D. Ross, CaletOta.
Mr. T. G; Wood, London.
Rev. C. Bumey, D. D. Greenwich*
Mr. C. A. Smith, Greenwidi.
Mr. Philip H.Rogers, London*
Rev. Derwent Coleridge, M.h,HeUUm
Lieut. Nelson, R. E. Woolwidi.
Mr. I. P. Breton, Calemtta.
Mr. Frederick Leckie, Gnemscg.
Mr. James Fox, London.
Mr. G. S. Borlase, F.R. S.Helston.
Mr. I. B. Lane, Londen.
Mr. Charles F. Hamilton Smith, 8S£4
Resft.<ifFoot.
Rev. Mr. M'cEnery, Torquajf.
Rev. John Pannett, M. A. St. Columb.
iRRmBtra.
Dr. Armstrong
Mr. John Ball
Dr. Barham
Mr. J. N. Bennett
Mr. W. R. Bennett
Dr. Blaokmore
Capt. Catty, R. E.
Dr. Cookworthy
Mr. John Cookworthy
Mr. R. W. Coryndon
Capt. Filmore, R. N.^
Mr. Fottlston
Mr. J. H. Fuge
Mr. E. N. Gabriel
Mr. C. Galopin
Mr. H. Gandy
Mr. W. 8. Harris
Dr. Hlngston
Rev. Dr. Jacob
Dr. John Isbell
Mr. A. B. Johns
Rev. R. Lampen, M. A.
Mr. T. Lancaster
Rev. R. Luney, B. A.
Rev. J. H. Macaolay, M. A.
Dr. R Moore
Mr. Norman
Mr. Prance
Mr. John Prideaux
Mr. J. M. Rendel
Mr. I. R. Roberts
Rev. S. Rowe, B. A.
Col. C. Hamilton Smith
Mr. Henry Welsford
Mr. Wightwick
Mr. S. Williams
Mr. Henry Woollcombe.
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OP THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION.
IBlssociatcs.
365
Mr. Jesse Adams
Mr. John E. Adams
Mr. Thomas Adams
Mr. Atkinson
Mr. Bannan
Mr. John Bone
Mr. W. R. Berryman
Mr. Carbis
Mr. Geo. Carne
Mr. Jonathan Clouter
Mr. Geo. Guryndon
Mr. Wm. Curtis
Mr. James Dawe
Mr. 8 H. Dawe
Mr. David Derry
Mr. Sam. Derry
Dr. Dickson
Mr. Eastlake
Mr. W. U Easton
Mr.J. E.Elworlhy
Mr. W. H. Evens
Mr. Herbert Fortescue
Mr. Fownes
Mr. A. Frazer
Mr. H. M. Gibson
Mr. Thomas Gill
Mr. Thomas Griffin
Mr. Mark Grigg
Capt. Haydon, R. N.
Mr. I. G. Heath
Mr. Alfred Hlogston
Capt. Hobson, R. N,
Mr. W. C. Hodge
Mr. W. IJolberloii
Mr. E. Jessep
Mr. T. F. Jessep
Mr. Lloyd
Mr. E. Lockyer
Mr. Lumsdale
Mr. A. M'cLeod
Mr. John Moore
Mr. Wm. Moore
Mr. Needham
Mr. T. D. Newton
Mr. T. P. Oyens
Mr. B. Parham
Mr. Charles Prideaux
Mr. Geo. Pridhara
Mr. Henry Reeves
Dr. Edmund Rendle
Mr. J. B. Rowe
Major Shurlock
Mr. J. L. Stevens
Dr. Smet
Mr. R. Jago Squire
Mr. Tincombe
Mr. S« Truman
Mr. Thomas Thomas
Mr. T. Tripe
Mr. W. A. Wolsford
Mr. John Williams
Mr. Henry Wills.
Mr. William Wyatt
Dr. James Yonge
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366 APPENDIX TO THE TRANSACTIONS
LIBRARY.
•The Society has ccMiimenced a Library in fiirtherance.of the g^ieral
designs of the Institution, but has confined its purchases to works most
calculated to assist the members in their researches, and especially in
the preparation of lectures. The collection has also been enlarged by
the donations of members, and other friends to the Institution, and con-
sists at present of about 700 volumes ; among which are presets by
His Serene Highness Prince Maxlmilifin ofWied. — Hon, Mem,
Mr. James Northcote, R. A. London. — Hon, Mem.
Mr, John Britton, F. A. S. &c. London; — Hon, Mem.
Mr. Edward W. Brayley, London.— Hon. Mem.
Mr. DaTid Ross, Ca&eutta. — Cor, Mem,
Dr. John Butter, F. R. S. &c. Plymouth.
Mr. Edward Griffith, F. L. S. London. — Hon. Mem.
Dr. Cookworthy, Plymouth. — Mem,
Mr. John Cole, R. N.
Mr. George Harvey, F. R. S. Plymouth.
Mr. J. L. Stevens, Plymouth .—i^Moc.
Rev. Dr. Jacob, Devonport.— ilfem.
Sir Christopher Hawkins^ (late of Tre wither, Cornwall.)
Rev. J. L. Harris, A. M. Plymstock. — Cor. Mem.
Mr. W. S. Harris, Plymouth. — Mem.
Col. C. Hamilton Smith, Plymouth. — Mem,
Rev. R. Hennah, Citadel, Plymouth.
Rev. R. Lampen, A. M. Plymouth. — Mem,
Mr. Harvey Wood, Bath.
Mr. Henry WooUcombe,— Afem.
Mr. George Banks, F. L. S. Devonport.
Rev. J. H. Macaulay, M. A.— ATrm.
Rev. S. Rowe, B. A. — Mem,
Among the principal works may be enumerated,
Aptle's origin and progress of writing and priniing.-^4to.
Atlantic Neptune, by Col. des Barres.
Aulus Gellius.— folio.
Acta eroditornm.— ->to
Brunet Manuel de Libraire.
Bryant*s dictionary of painters.
Cowley's works.— folio.
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OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 357
CaTier*8 Animal kingdom, translated by Griffiths and others.
Ca?ier*s Lecons d* Anatomie comparee,
Casanboni Athen«QS.— folio.
Dacange, Glossariam.— -folio.
Delphin classics.—- (Valpy's edition.)
Dictionnaire, No? eaa d'bistoire natarelle.
Greenongb*s geology.
Homeri Carmlna. — Heyne.
Hallam's history of the middle ages.
Leslie on heat and moistora. ,
Lanzi Storia pittorica della Italia.
Lagrange Theorie des Fonctions analytiques.
Laplace Theorie analytiqoe des probabilites.
' Londiniana, or Reminiscenee» of the British capital, by E. W. Brayley.
Lamark, Anlmaux sans Yertebres.
Maratori Annali d*Italia.
Mailer's nniyersal history.
Maskelyne*s astronomical observations.
Moh*8 mineralogy.
Maculloch*s classification of rocks.
Northcote's life of Reynolds.
Northcote*s prints, from his pictures. — large folio.
Normandy, architectural antiquities of, by Pugin and Le Keux.
Bismondi Historic de Republiques Italiennes.
Spurzheim*s physiognomical system.
Stephani Thesausus Lingas Latinae.
Scapnltt Lexicon.— (Valpy) — folio.
Syrie Historia Regum per Foy Vaillant.
Tiraboschi Storia della Letteratura Italiana.
Tower of London, memoirs of, by John Brilton and E. W. Brayley.
Warton*s history of English poetry.
Wightivick's Tiews of Rome.
Also the following periodicals.
Transactions of the Royal Society of London — of Edinburgh— of the Cam-
bridge Philosophical Society — of theRoyal Society of Literature — of the Asiatic
Society of Calcutta. Repertory of ArU. Annals of Philosophy. Edinburgh
Journal of Science. Philosophical Magazine. Mechanic's Magazine. Jour-
nals des Savans. Le Globe. Annates de Chimie. Oxford and Cambridge
University Calendars, &c.
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358 APPENDIX TO THE TRANSACTIONS
MUSEUM.
The museum is of receut formation ; the building which contains it
was commenced in 1828, and finished in 1829. As yet the extent
of the collection is by no means considerable, although it contains some
rare contributions, not only from many noble and private individuals,
but also from His Majesty's Government. There is every reason how-
ever to hope, from the numerous additions constantly receiving, in every
department, that a valuable collection will ultimately be procured. —
Several coses for mammalia, birds, fishes, and reptiles ; and suites of
drawers for insects, minerals, fossils, and organic remains, &cc» have been
fitted up : in the former is already collected, a considerable series of
specimens (some preserved dry and others in spirits,) from the Arctic
regions, the Brazils, Peru, Western Africa, the Cape, &c. for which
we are chiefly indebted to His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian of
Wied ; Captains Franklin, Parry, Mends, Filmore, and Delafons, of the
Royal Navy, the Rev. Wm. Hennah, Mr, I. Loudon, Mr. G. Coryndon,
&c. A British series has also recently been conmienced ; contri-
butions to which are to be acknowledged from Mr. R. W. Coryndon,
Dr. E. Moore, Mr. Gabriel, &c. In the drawers are contained some
beautiful insects, foreign and domestic, presented by Mr. T. F. Jessep,
Dr. Leach, Miss Nelson, &c. and arranged by Dr. Leach. An extensive
series of minerals, volcanic productions and petrifactions, presented by
Prince Maximilian of Wied, Mrs. Dr. Lockyer, Mr. R. W. Fox, Capt.
Filmore, Mr. A. Frazer, and arranged by Mr. J. Prideaux. The
geological department comprises, amongst many others, specimens illus-
trative of the geology of Jersey, presented by Lieut. Nelson, R. E. and
a very complete series from the neighbourhood of Plymouth, by Mr.
John Prideaux. Organic remains from the caverns in the vicinity of
Torquay, Oreston, and the limestone quarries near Plymouth, have been
contributed by the Rev. R. Hennah, Rev. Mr. M*cEnery, Mr. J. Whid-
bey, Mr. R. Rattenbury, Mr. Foulston, &c. In the cabinets, are con-
tained, a very complete •eries of crabs, presented by Charles Prideaux,
esq. and Dr. Leach. A collection of coins, among which are many rare
and valuable ones from Mr. W. Prideaux, Mr. W. Burt, &c. ; and a
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OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUT ION. 359
series of specimens of wood, foreign and domestic, presented by Col.
H. Smith : also some fine specimens of corals. An interesting series
of Peruvian pottery, dag out of the graves of the Aborigines ; together
with some Egyptian, Gallic, Burmese, African, and South Sea idols,
has been received from Capt. Mehds, Rev. Wm. Hennah, Mr. I. Lou-
don, Mr. David Ross. On the walls are suspended, numerous speci-
mens of natiural history, and artificial curiosities ; comprising ancient
utensils, implements of war, musical instruments, &c. from Asia, Africa,
North and South America, the South Sea Islands, &c. contributed by Sir
Digory Forrest, Captain Fihnore, Capt. G. Woollcombe, Col. George
Arthur, Governor of Van Dieman's Land, &c. In the space of the
museum, not yet occupied by cases, are deposited, a manuscript map
of the world by Ensign C. Smithy 28th Regt. ; a valuable geological
map of England and Wales, and a map of the settlement in New South
Wales, presented by H. Baynham, esq. A specific catalogue of the
contents of the museum, with the name of the donor attached to each
of the specimens, is in progress for publication.
The Institution also possesses some valuable casts, of which the fol-
lowing are the principal.
Prtsmteti ^ |is late jWajcfttc IKing iStorgc lEF.
Nine of the fifteen Metopes from the Parthenon, representing the combat
between the Centaurs and the Lapithn.
Part of the frieze of the Parthenon, representing the Panathenaic pr^ei-^
sion.
The river god Illissus. ' ^
A Cupid. ■ *
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360 APPENDIX TO THE TRANSACTIONS &c.
The Apollo Bekidere ; presented by Adoiirttl Sir Byam Martin, K. G. B.
Hetd of one of the Horses belonging to the Chariot of Night ; presented
by Mr. B. R. Haydon.
The Theseus firom the Parthenon.— The Venus de Medici ; presented by
the late Sir William CongreTe, Bart.
The Anlinotts of the Capitol ; presented by the Right Hoi^urable the
Earl of Morley.
Bust of Minerra ; presented by Rey. R. Lampen.
Ihist of Achilles ; preiented by Mr. S. Calvert.
The Fighting Gladiator .—^The Genius of the Capitol ; presented by seyeral
Members of the Instilution.
THE END
ROWI, PRXMTBB, PLTMODTB*
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